Zondo Commission - The African Mirror

Nov

2020

South African judge has refused to step down from corruption probe: this was the right call

DEPUTY Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, the head of the inquiry into allegations that the South African state was “captured” and repurposed to benefit private interests during former president Jacob Zuma’s tenure (May 2009 to February 2018), has dismissed Zuma’s application for his recusal. The former president, who stands accused of having facilitated grand corruption, had accused the judge of bias. Politics editor Thabo Leshilo asked Cathleen Powell for her insights. CATHLEEN POWELL, Associate Professor in Public Law, University of Cape Town Is the decision correct or not and why? The decision is correct, and it is the only principled decision…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Zuma walks out on commission, after dismissal of recusal application

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER Deputy Judge President Raymon Zondo MINUTES after his application for the recusal of the chairman of the state capture commission was dismissed, former President Jacob Zuma took off without the permission of Deputy Judge President Raymond Zondo. Zondo expressed his dismay. ‘This is a “serious matter” Zondo says. “It is a pity that he has elected to leave without asking for permission.” The Deputy President said the commission would adjourn to reflect on Zuma’s actions. By excusing himself from the commission without permission, Zuma could find himself charged with contempt of the commission, which has the same…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

I am not a friend of ex-president Jacob Zuma – Deputy Judge President

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African Deputy Judge President has tabled a set of facts which seeks to prove that he is neither a friend of nor have family relations with ex-president Jacob Zuma, who has accused him of bias and sought his recusal from the state capture commission. In a statement read at the start of a special hearing to hear an application for his recusal, Zondo also poked holes in Zuma’s affidavit. Zuma, who deposed the affidavit last week, attended the proceedings, accompanied by his daughter. He has contended that he has a close and personal relationship with Zondo.…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

S.Africa corruption inquiry to summon Zuma to appear next month

NEWS

ALEXANDER WINNING A South African corruption inquiry will issue a summons for former president Jacob Zuma to appear to give evidence next month, the judge chairing the proceedings had decided. Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said Zuma would be required to appear on November 16-20, adding that this could be via videolink if appropriate arrangements were made. "The secretary of the commission is hereby authorised and directed to sign and issue a summons ... requiring Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, former president of the Republic of South Africa, to appear," Zondo said. The inquiry was set up more than two years…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Top ANC politician granted R30 000 bail and vows to prove his innocence

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER VINCENT Smith, who has become the first high profile ANC politician to be arrested for corruption related to the state capture inquiry, has vowed to prove his innocence. Smith (60) was arrested and appeared in Special Commercial Crimes Court in Palmridge, outside Johannesburg, where he was charged with corruption. He was granted bail of R30 000, ordered to hand in his passport and not to interfere with state witnesses. He is a former MP and ex-chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Correctional Services. The charges relate to amounts totalling R660 000 that he received from Bosasa In an…