[ad_1]
Former President Jacob Zuma argued through his lawyers that the statements and comments of the president of the state capture investigation, Raymond Zondo, were insensitive and showed that he had made the decision that the former president was guilty.
Former President Jacob Zuma arrives at the state capture inquiry commission in Johannesburg on November 16, 2020. Image: Xanderleigh Dookey / EWN.
JOHANNESBURG – Former President Jacob Zuma will find out on Tuesday whether his request to recuse the chairman of the state commission, Raymond Zondo, is successful.
He has argued through his lawyers that Zondo’s comments and statements were insensitive and showed that he has made the decision that the former president is guilty.
But the leader of the evidence, attorney Paul Pretorious, said Zondo must finish his job.
“He has no discretion, even if he wishes it out of deference to the former president, he cannot recuse himself from the presidency.”
WATCH: Zuma’s Offer to Disqualify Zondo – PART 2
That’s what Pretorious concluded in his arguments, saying that Zuma’s reasons for Zondo recusing himself were unfounded.
Zondo had previously denied that he and Zuma had any kind of personal relationship, saying that aside from the African National Congress (ANC) and government events, they did not attend each other’s family gatherings or funerals.
He also denied that he and Zuma agreed to keep their distance to avoid public misperceptions.
“There was no such discussion between Mr. Zuma and I when I was elevated to the bench. My promotion occurred in 1997, Mr. Zuma said that he understood that I wanted to draw a line in my relationship with him so as not to create the public perception that I trusted him as president to move up my judicial career. Mr. Zuma was not president in 1997, he was MEC for Economic Development in KwaZulu-Natal ”.
Zuma’s lawyer, Muzi Sikhakhane, said that whether or not Zondo recused himself, his comments had created the perception that he agreed that Zuma ruined the country.
Zondo will deliver his decision Tuesday morning.
Download the EWN app on your iOS or Android device.
[ad_2]
