ZUMA KEEN TO ATTEND INQUIRY

…he 'can't wait' to attend state capture commission, says lawyer

- Former President Jacob Zuma is looking forward to appearing at the state capture commission of inquiry, even if he isn't furnished with questions beforehand, says his lawyer Dan Mantsha.

Zuma has agreed to attend the commission in July and his testimony, it has been confirmed, will be open to the public.

Mantsha told News24 yesterday that Zuma never refused to appear before inquiry chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, and added that because Zuma was invited, he "can't wait to attend. He is relishing the moment."

"There has never been any correspondence from us that he does not want to attend. He has always raised his concerns about the impartial and fairness displayed by the commission, according to his views.

"It is his view that the commission, from the word go, has treated him as an accused person," he said.

The inquiry’s primary brief is to investigate allegations of corruption, notably at state firms Eskom and South African Airways, which are in drowning in debt after years of mismanagement.

It is reviewing accusations that three prominent businessmen - brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta - unduly influenced Zuma during his presidency about political appointments and the awarding of state contracts.

The ombudsman found in 2017 that Zuma may have granted the Gupta business family improper control of government functions, including the appointment of ministers.

The Guptas also deny the accusations and say they have been victims of a political attack.

They have since closed their South African operations, which cover mining, media and technology, and moved back to India.

The family’s South African lawyer, Rudi Krause, said his clients had no comment.

In the past, Zuma has been critical of the commission, believing that it is geared against him.