Zondo out to humiliate Zuma, says his foundation

The Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Mhlanganyelwa Zuma Foundation has lashed out at the chair of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, for his media conference allegedly set up to “humiliate” the former president and his attorneys.

On Monday, Zondo said that he will not negotiate with Jacob Zuma and his legal team on the dates that Zuma should testify at the commission.

“This commission does not negotiate dates with witnesses,” Zondo said.

The deputy chief justice said he had determined that Zuma would appear before him from 16 to 20 November.

According to a letter by Zuma’s attorneys, Zondo said, the reasons provided for the former president not appearing before the commission this week include that he was preparing for his arms deal court matter; that doctors had advised that because of his age in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, he should limit his movements; and that he was seeking legal advice regarding the amendments of the commission’s regulations.

However, the foundation said the “attack” on Zuma and his legal representatives was “absolutely unjustified and prejudicial”.

“The chair lacks this courage when faced with the open defiance by certain people, who have refused to appear before the commission. He has not called a press conference to respond to Minister Pravin Gordhan when he failed even to file an affidavit to explain his nonappearance. This inconsistency and fear of the powerful is not expected from the man who occupies the second-highest office in the judiciary,” it said.

The statement was shared on social media by Zuma’s daughter, Dudu Zuma-Sambudla.

The foundation was referring to an incident in which a legal representative for Gordhan in August asked for his cross-examination by former Sars boss Tom Moyane to be postponed, citing Cabinet commitments.