‘The commission will not be intimidated’

…Zondo after office burglary, shot fired through window

JOHANNESBURG - Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said the judicial commission of inquiry into state capture will not be intimidated into not doing its job.

This came after a shot was fired through the window of an office of the commission last week, and a break-in at the commission over the weekend when a computer was stolen.

At the start of yesterday’s proceedings, Zondo, who chairs the commission, referred to the two incidents, saying it was “cause for concern.”

He said law enforcement agencies were investigating the incidents.

“I don’t know whether it is ordinary criminality or something else,” Zondo said.

“I just want to say if anybody is trying to intimidate the commission into not doing its job properly, they must know the commission will not be intimidated,” he said.

He lauded the dedication of the commission’s staff. “I certainly will not be intimidated into not finishing the job.”

Zondo said the shot fired through the office window must have happened in the evening. He said a bullet was found in the office.

The break-in at the commission’s office in Parktown, Johannesburg, was discovered on Sunday morning, News24 reported earlier.

The commission was established by corruption-accused former President Jacob Zuma in early 2018, shortly before he left office. It has since laid bare scores of alleged corrupt activities involving companies and businesspeople, officials and active and retired politicians from the governing ANC.

Yesterday, the commission continued to examine Parliament’s oversight function, with National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise answering questions from evidence leader, advocate Alec Freund SC.