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DAYS OF ZONDO

State Capture Commission to lay criminal complaint against Jacob Zuma

The Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture is calling Jacob Zuma’s bluff and has come out guns blazing against the former president, who on Monday said, ‘I do not fear being arrested’ after announcing that he would not cooperate with the inquiry.
An Wentzel
By An Wentzel
3 Feb
jess-zumaZondo Former president Jacob Zuma told the Zondo Commission that the inquiry was merely the culmination of an anti-Zuma narrative spanning nearly 30 years. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla / Netwerk24)

Jacob Zuma boldly told the Zondo Commission – and the world – in a statement released on Monday by the Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma Foundation, that he would not appear before the commission.

Zuma’s decision went against the Constitutional Court order last week that he must appear before the commission, give evidence and obey all the directives given by the inquiry.

Justice Chris Jafta said: “It is declared that Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma does not have the right to remain silent in proceedings before the Commission.”

On Monday 1 February, Zuma seemed to taunt the commission, with his statement that he would not cooperate and that:

“If this stance is considered a violation of their law, then let their law take its course.”

The commission is not taking this lightly and has released its own statement.

“The Commission takes note of the recent public statement issued by Mr Jacob Zuma yesterday (Monday, 1 February 2021).”

Media Statement 2 February ... by Daily Maverick

 

The statement describes the stance taken by Zuma and goes on to say:

“It seems that Mr Zuma considers himself to be above the law and the Constitution.

“With regard to Mr Zuma’s decision not to appear before the Commission during the week of the 18th to the 22nd of January 2021 as he had been required to do in terms of one of the Commission’s summonses served on him, the Chairperson has asked the Secretary of the Commission to lay a criminal complaint against Mr Zuma.”

Zuma is also expected to appear before the commission from February 15 to 19, which he announced he would not do. The commission has noted this and said should Zuma not appear on 15 February, it would “announce on that day what further action it will take in regard to such conduct”.

The commission closed its statement with:

“It is noted that in his statement Mr Zuma continues his attacks on the person and integrity of the chairperson but the chairperson will deal with those attacks in a separate statement.” DM

Comments

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Jon Quirk 3 February 2021 06:20 AM

Now let us see whether real teeth will be applied.

Hiram C Potts 3 February 2021 07:55 AM

Be assured that if it were you or me or Joe Citizen, we'd be bitten by the full might of the law. Let's see where this goes with this clown......

Gerhard Pretorius 3 February 2021 06:41 AM

At last he will have his day in court.

Old Man 3 February 2021 07:02 AM

Zuma has another time delay, 15th February, and then action still to be decided by the Commission. Enough time to have next step ready and no more delays.

Alley Cat 3 February 2021 08:28 AM

Only after he does not appear can they lay more charges.. By the time our overstretched criminal justice system finishes their investigation it will be end of March, end of Zondo commission and the slithery eel will be free again.

Scott Gordon 4 February 2021 04:17 AM

Hmm, 15th , no show , contempt of Con Court . Arrest on sight ? Cele gets wings ? Still think JZ will talk , do a deal, sellout his former buddies , go 'States Witless ' ?

Hiram C Potts 3 February 2021 07:52 AM

QUOTE: The commission has noted this and said should Zuma not appear on 15 February, it would “announce on that day what further action it will take in regard to such conduct”. If he doesn't appear = contempt = a warrant of arrest. End of the story.

User 3 February 2021 08:39 AM

and bail with money stolen from taxpayers on the same day, and then he starts playing the system again.. ?

Ian McGill 3 February 2021 07:59 AM

Cyril must call his bluff and forget the bussed-in rabble that will howl at his court appearance . South Africa as a whole (forget the ANC) will back you up.

Ray Dearlove 3 February 2021 09:01 AM

Take him (Zuma) down! Ray

John Weinkove 3 February 2021 09:05 AM

It makes no sense for Mr Zuma to appear before the commission. What can he possibly say? I didn't steal the money?

Peter Dexter 3 February 2021 09:08 AM

If they don't charge him NOW and remove his passport, and as part of his bail conditions, state that he may not leave the country, he will not be in SA on the 15th February.

Kanu 3 February 2021 11:15 AM

Is it possible, by then, he could be in the company of the Guptas where they are holed up, in that great 'democracy' Trump so adores ?

Dennis Bailey 3 February 2021 09:19 AM

Just saying: nobody commenting thinks the state will arrest him. That's how cynical we've become.

etienne van den heever 3 February 2021 09:20 AM

The time-frame of the Commission needs to be extended to deal with the increasing volume and gravity of widespread malfeasance & ANC looting - the extent of which is only just beginning to surface. Zuma too will engineer room to wiggle out of his situation if this is not done. It's up to you mr Pres. Do the right thing!

Bridget McCormick 3 February 2021 11:18 AM

It will be postponed somehow. zuma will be sick on 15th Feb and not appear - he will have his doctor in his pocket to write him a note. This man will never appear before a commission. He has - literally - been giving South African citizens the finger for the past nine years; nothing is going to change. If only we had a government that could actually stand up and say "If you defy the Constitution, the Constitution will defy you" and cut off all his benefits. Not that he needs them. This man is alleged to have stolen so much from South African tax payers already; an extra couple of million rand a year will make no difference to him.

Karl Sittlinger 3 February 2021 11:55 AM

Just ensure we extend the time frame of the commission indefinitely until he has appeared in addition to arresting him...

Selwyn Lange 3 February 2021 12:04 PM

Have you thought about the differences and similarities between the Zuma and Trump sagas? In both cases there will be the rabble to "defend to the death -----" (almost literally). Sad but true.

Bruce Morrison 3 February 2021 12:09 PM

By what is happening in Durban it looks like his supporters are setting up to disrupt the country by stirring up xenophobic attacks.

Cecil van den Bergh 3 February 2021 01:10 PM

Don't issue statements anymore, just do it!

Dhasagan Pillay 3 February 2021 01:51 PM

You'd think that law enforcement officers know how to type 'Nkandla' into Waze.

Breeze 3 February 2021 03:01 PM

Not arresting and prosecuting this known thief and corrupt character will have a huge implication on this country. Many others will feel they can do the same and the world is watching and this will affect investments and job opportunities forever.

Geoff Young 3 February 2021 05:41 PM

This is a pivotal moment for the Zondo Commission, Jacob Zuma, the rule of law, the Constitution and the Republic itself. I wait with baited breath to see if there is a spine or if this is a glorified publicity stunt. The nation is watching.

Scott Gordon 4 February 2021 12:09 AM

Did you see Zondo call out the ANC . It was epic !I was in awe . I heard 'Prasa ' then I heard about "| accountability " " where is the oversight ?" ......."how does the president allow this ? Clearly stressed , end of term , a burden of 'statements ' under oath ,imagine how the masses feel ? Ignored , their own fate . Jz has contempt , arrest him , why is he still free ?

Sydney Smith 3 February 2021 06:10 PM

Nothing is going to happen, he has enough dosh in his bank and will skip the country and still poke fun at us from the outside. Maybe Cuba?

Lyndsay Ousman 3 February 2021 06:32 PM

Blah Blah Blah ... Never before has the judicial system been so blatantly and arrogantly flouted with NO repercussions.. Oh...until now...when it will in all likelihood be too late. Makes one wonder.....

Scott Gordon 3 February 2021 11:50 PM

the Constitution. (It is to be noted that, while Mr Zuma refuses to comply with the Constitution and to obey the order of the Constitutional Court on the one hand, he continues to enjoy the benefits that the Constitution grants to all former Presidents In terms of his pension and other benefits paid for by the taxpayers). It seems that Mr Zuma considers himself to be above the law and the Constitution. The Commission reiterates that in terms of the Constitution everyone is equal before the law. This constitutional guarantee must be given effect to.4. The Commission is concerned that Mr. Zuma’s decision to defy the order of the Constitutional Court and the summons of the Commission displays a complete disregard for the rights and interests that South Africans have in obtaining comprehensive responses from him to a lot of evidence regarding state capture,corruption and fraud that concern him and others connected with him that relate tohis terms of office as President of the country which have been led in the Commission over the past three years.. With regard to Mr. Zuma of January 2021 as he had been required to do in terms of one of the Commission’s summonses served on him, and still no action ? Con Court said he broke the law and his oath of office , not sedition or treason ? a gift for CR not that he can be trusted , sitting on reports from Muf and co for 2 years