A war of words has erupted between former president, Jacob Zuma, and State Capture Commission Chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. This is over Zuma’s failure to appear before the commission.
Justice Zondo has set down the 6th to 20th of November for Zuma’s appearance and warned that the dates are non-negotiable.
Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo announces new dates for former president Jacob Zuma’s appearance:
The Jacob Zuma Foundation responded by accusing Zondo of being selective, inconsistent, and obsessed with the former president.
Some politicians and analysts believe the utterances are tantamount to an attack on the judiciary.
Zuma was expected to appear before the commission this week but failed to do so. His lawyers notified the commission that due to his age, his doctors had advised him to limit his movements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But, Deputy Justice Zondo said he would hear an application by the commission’s legal team for a summons to be brought for the former president.
And days later, the Jacob Zuma Foundation responded and hit back at Justice Zondo and his team saying the media briefing was meant to humiliate Zuma.
It questioned why the same vigour was not used to address Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan when he failed to file an affidavit to explain his non-appearance. The foundation also accused Justice Zondo of being obsessed with Zuma and using his name to secure him a top post at the Constitutional Court.
📑[READ] The Statement from The Jacob Zuma Foundation with regards to The biased Zondo Commission of Inquiry
"The Foundation expresses disappointment at the Chairperson's obsession with President Zuma"
Wozani, the letter has ARRIVED!🔥🔥🔥💥💥💣💣 Chess Master! Round 2🤼🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/QNcNIsu4on
— Sphithiphithi Evaluator (@_AfricanSoil) September 23, 2020
But the Congress of the People’s Spokesperson Dennis Bloem says the utterances by the foundation amount to a criminal offence.
Zuma has in the past indicated that despite his misgivings about the legality of the commission and its terms of reference, he respects it and would co-operate.
