Zondo slams Malema, Shivambu for comments

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has made his first scathing but veiled response to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leaders Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu – a week after the two addressed a crowd of supporters outside the Parktown building where Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan was testifying.

In his address, Malema at- tacked Gordhan and evidence leader Paul Pretorius. He called Gordhan “a dog” and Pretorius “a bastard” when addressing EFF supporters.

Zondo said comments made during the protest gathering, directed at Gordhan and Pretorius, amounted to insults. He said while the commission did not want to get involved in a standoff between Gordhan and his political rivals, it was “unacceptable to subject witnesses to harassment and intimidation”.

“When witnesses come here, they do so to help the commission and act in the public interest,” said Zondo.

“If no one comes to testify before the commission, this country will not get to know how state capture occurred or get to understand the extent of corruption that has engulfed the country.

“I urge all South Africans and organisations committed to address state capture and the nature of corruption not jeopardise the work of this commission.”

He said anyone was “free to lodge a complaint”.

“It doesn’t help the commission or country for someone who has evidence of any corruption, falling within the commission, to keep it away from the inquiry. Hand it over. The commission will not consider what is said outside the inquiry or in the media.”

The commission, said Zondo, will monitor the conduct of various individuals and “will not hesitate to lay complaints with the police in the future”.