Toby Shapshak
Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo won’t let Jacob Zuma get away with running away from the Zondo commission last week and is charging the former president with contempt of court.
Zuma absconded from the state capture commission last week without first receiving permission from the deputy chief justice and could be liable to a fine or six months in jail if he is found guilty.
“Given the seriousness of Mr Zuma’s conduct and the impact that his conduct may have on the work of the commission and the need to ensure that we give effect to the constitutional provisions that everyone is equal before the law, I have decided to request the secretary of the commission to lay a criminal complaint with the SA Police Service,” said Zondo.
He said the police must investigate Zuma’s conduct and the secretary will make all relevant information available to the police and the NPA.
This follows Zuma’s latest attempt to avoid legal consequences for his alleged role in state capture, which over 30 witnesses have testified about at the commission.
Zondo has been trying to get Zuma to answer to, or explain, all this testimony. But Zuma’s counsel, Muzi Sikhakhane SC, tried to get Zondo to recuse himself.
After Zondo refused that application, Zuma left the hearings during a tea break without formal permission from the judge.
