Stop ducking and give your side of the story, Mr Zuma

The wheels of justice may turn painfully slowly at times, but turn they eventually do, and those accused of wrongdoing will have to face the music.For former president Jacob Zuma, the controversial multibillion-rand arms deal has been a yoke around his neck for almost two decades. When the allegations surfaced and he was eventually charged, he proclaimed his innocence and demanded his day in court to set the record straight. Yet, he has done everything in his power to avoid just that.

The charges against him were politically motivated, Zuma claimed, and his counsel attempted to secure a permanent stay of prosecution. Those attempts failed and Zuma will now finally have to stand trial in December.

Before he answers to the courts regarding the arms deal, Zuma will first have to answer to the commission of inquiry into state capture chaired by deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo. But, as with the criminal trial, there have been a number of delays in getting the former president to the commission, with a string of reasons put forward for his non-appearance.

Zuma, who has long floated conspiracy theories for a purported target on his back, was set to appear before the commission this week but lawyers informed Zondo that he would not be able to do so.

His legal team said he was preparing for his upcoming criminal trial and had been advised to limit his movements during the pandemic. The letter further said that dates for Zuma’s appearance should be negotiated — a suggestion the commission chair did not take kindly to.

“We will not negotiate with witnesses,” was the unequivocal response from Zondo.

Zuma may now be compelled to appear. An application for an order authorising a summons will be heard — with or without Zuma’s legal team — on October 9. Then, from November 16 to 20, Zuma is expected to appear before the commission, where he will have to answer to questions relating to state capture.

In a country ravaged by fraud and corruption, citizens are yearning for some form of accountability from those accused of wrongdoing and for justice to be meted out. The process can be slow and frustrating.

We hope Zuma will finally come forward to both the commission and the courts to tell his side of the story instead of asking for another postponement and stalling the processes.

An application for an order authorising a summons will be heard — with or without Zuma’s legal team — on October 9