Zuma agrees to testify

DESPITE accusing the Zondo Commission of Inquiry Into Allegations of State Capture of descending into the political arena, former president Jacob Zuma has agreed to testify next month.

Zuma said the commission ambushed him, and was trying to humiliate him.

His lawyer, Lugisani Mantsha, told commission chairman Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and acting secretary Peter Pedlar that Zuma was concerned about its statement issued last Thursday, which he described as “a disinformation campaign and an unfortunate attempt at instigating the public against his client”.

Mantsha wrote a scathing letter to the commission on Monday, stating that its decision to issue a press statement amounted to a disinformation campaign.

According to Mantsha, Zuma’s legal team viewed the issuing of the press statement as an attempt to name and shame their client, which was unfortunate and constituted the commission’s descent into politics.

Mantsha told the commission its rules allowed Justice Zondo to direct any person against whom allegations were made in a witness’ statement or evidence, to respond in writing.

Several high-profile witnesses have fingered Zuma in serious allegations of impropriety and malfeasance including former Cabinet ministers Nhlanhla Nene, Fikile Mbalula, Pravin Gordhan, Barbara Hogan and Ngoako Ramatlhodi, among others.

Zuma has also been implicated by other witnesses including former Cabinet spokesperson Themba Maseko, former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor and Ramathlodi’s erstwhile advisor, Mahlodi Muofhe.

The commission has welcomed Zuma’s undertaking that he would give evidence next month, and noted the undertaking that he would testify from July15 to 19.