Former President Jacob Zuma at the Zondo Commission into state capture . Image iOL
Faizel Patel – 17/11/2020
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation says former President Jacob’s objective is to nullify and delegitimize the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture.
Zuma has accused Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, of favouring witnesses who support the narrative that the former president was responsible for State capture during his tenure.
Zuma, through his legal counsel advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, made this claim when he formally made an application to Judge Zondo to recuse himself.
Several civil society organisations have called for Zuma to account before Zondo
Speaking to Radio Islam, the Kathrada Foundation’s Neeshan Balton says the call by Zuma for the recusal of Zondo would result in the collapse of the commission.
“That’s precisely what they want. But bear in mind that this is the commission that on the 23rd of January 2018, Jacob Zuma himself signed the proclamation that established this commission and established the terms of reference. Those terms of reference is what has guided the work of the commission.”
Balton says Zuma knows that the “cards” are stacked against him.
“If one takes all of the testimony that has been presented, there is a lot that he has to account for. So the best thing he can do is play for time because the commission will come to end by February next year and he can hopefully draw this thing out and also try to play the victim, that he is the victim in all of this, he’s done nothing wrong. In fact, in his view he’s done absolutely nothing wrong, he’s been responsible nothing that has gone wrong in this country.”
Balton ways whether Zuma testifies or not, the commission can come to conclusions and note that the former president was an unwilling participant and make the recommendation based on the findings of the commission.
Listen to the interview with Neeshan Balton
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