Court grants inquiry 3-month extension

THE North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, has granted the Zondo commission a three-month extension to complete its work.

The commission, which started hearing oral evidence in August 2018, had applied for the extension.

“The term within which the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector, including Organs of State, is required to complete its work is extended from June 30 to September 30,,” High Court Judge Selby Baqwa ruled on Monday.

The judge said President Cyril Ramaphosa, as the first respondent, would have to give effect to the order by amending the commission’s terms of reference to include the extended period.

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo had stated that the extension was needed to allow for more witnesses to be heard.

The chairperson said the commission had identified five or six more witnesses who needed to give oral evidence.

The witnesses informed the commission that they were not available to appear in June and, therefore, their evidence needed to be heard in July, Justice Zondo said.

In addition, Ramaphosa’s appearance would be pushed further as “it is only proper that the president is the last witness to give evidence”.

Ramaphosa was due to appear yesterday and today, in his capacity as leader of the nation.

“If the extension is granted, we will be able to hear evidence of the five or six witnesses and the president of the country by no later than July 15,” Justice Zondo had earlier said.