State capture inquiry gets 24-month extension
• Zondo expresses relief as high court grants commission’s request subject to confirmation
The state capture inquiry, which is headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, has been given a 24-month extension from March by the High Court in Pretoria, on condition there are no objections.
Zondo had approached the court last week seeking the extension, the commission said on Tuesday.
The court granted the request on Monday, subject to confirmation on October 2.
Zondo said that although the extension was subject to confirmation, it brought “relief” to the commission.
“If the extension is confirmed on October 2 we will be able to really focus on our work without having to be concerned that in a few months’ time the commission may have to stop its work because the 180 days will be up, which has been the case so far, particularly for many of the people appointed to assist the commission or to work for the commission,” he said.
The commission is looking into malfeasance in which highprofile politicians including former president Jacob Zuma have been implicated. Former finance minister Pravin Gordhan, now the public enterprise minister, has said the country is estimated to have lost R100bn through state capture.
The Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority have already acted against some suspects, with a number of Gupta associates and a family member appearing in court in relation to the Estina dairy project, while family patriarch Ajay Gupta is being sought by the Hawks.
Zuma’s son Duduzane Zuma is also facing corruption charges in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in connection with an alleged bribe offered to former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas.
In May, Zondo said the inquiry was likely to take two years to complete its work, oneand-a-half years more than the time allocated. Previously, 180 days had been set aside for the commission to complete its investigations, hearings and final report, but after an assessment this was found to be impossible.
The High Court in Pretoria has called on various people, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and political parties to show cause why the 180 days should not be extended by 24 months, calculated from March 1.
The commission said it was important to give people an opportunity to oppose the extension because the application was brought without notice.