AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
CHAIRING a judicial commission that has unearthed corruption running into billions and led to the arrest of individuals has been a difficult task for Deputy Judge President Raymond Zondo but one that he does not regret and one that he would do again.
This is what Zondo has said at a press briefing to discuss the work of the commission, adding that appropriate security measures were in place for his personal safety and his family.
Zondo said: “It’s been difficult for myself and my family, but there is a job to be done and I accepted this job. It’s a very important job to be done for the country. The situation has been difficult for those working in the commission too, with all these attacks, not just for me. Do I regret taking this job? Not at all. If I was asked to do it again, I would do it again. I had no hesitation in agreeing to do it.”
The commission has had to deal with incidents of violation of their security, which includes a break-in during which laptops were stolen. Recently, an unspecified security threat forced the commission to abruptly abandon its hearing. The development came in the middle of testimony by Noma Gigaba, the estranged wife of former Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba.
Zondo also welcomed the Constitutional Court’s decision to jail former President Jacob Zuma to 15 months in prison for contempt. He said the decision of the apex court vindicated the rule of law in South Africa. “It vindicates the supremacy of the Constitution. It reaffirms the principle that we are all equal before the law. We have again seen the judiciary stepping forward and doing what the Constitution expects of it. We think it’s a very important judgement for the country,” he said, adding that he wished it had never been necessary to reach this point.
He said the commission would have to apply its mind on how the Constitutional Court judgment affected the criminal complaint laid with the South African Police after Zuma walked out on the commission.
