Zondo to bring criminal charges against Zuma

Former president’s walk out before commission sets a dangerous precedent, deputy chief justice says

CAPE TOWN, November 23 (ANA) – Judge Raymond Zondo’s counsel on Monday said he would lay a criminal charge against former president Jacob Zuma for walking out of the commission on state capture in defiance of the summons issued against him last month.

“The decision by Mr Zuma to leave the commission without permission and in the face of a valid and binding summons is a serious matter,” Zondo said.

“As long as the summons stood it was binding and it was not up to him to excuse himself. Nevertheless Mr Zuma did excuse himself.”

Zondo said he would lay a charge with the police “so that the police can investigate his conduct in this regard” and would also make all relevant information to the case to the National Prosecuting Authority.

He said he would furthermore hear an application for another summons to be issued to call Zuma before the commission and would oblige the former president to submit an affidavit replying to questions on certain matters.

“I am going to determine other dates when Mr Zuma must appear before the commission,” he said.

It was important to deal with Zuma’s walkout because it might send a signal to other witnesses who may not be comfortable in testifying and may now think that they “can come and go as they please before this commission”.

Zuma had been summonsed to appear before the commission for five days last week.

However, he responded by bringing an application for Zondo to recuse himself.

When Zondo dismissed the application on Thursday, Zuma and his lawyer Muzi Sikhakhane staged a walkout, after signalling that they would not only seek to have the decision reviewed but lay a complaint against the judge with the Judicial Services Commission.

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Devereaux Morkel