JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 23: Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Photo by Gallo Images/Sowetan/Veli Nhlapo)
‘Commission cannot continue’: Zondo now in COVID-19 isolation
The commission has been halted amid a testimony from Brian Molefe. DCJ Zondo said he had to go into COVID-19 isolation.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 23: Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Photo by Gallo Images/Sowetan/Veli Nhlapo)
The State Capture Commission of Inquiry has been halted due to Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo having to self-isolate. He apparently came into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The news comes on the same day former president Jacob Zuma’s lawyers announced that he would not appear before the commission next week.
It also came amid an explosive testimony from former Eskom CEO, Brian Molefe.
ZONDO IN COVID-19 SELF-ISOLATION
The State Capture Commission took to Twitter on Friday afternoon saying that proceedings and hearings could not continue due to Zondo coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. He felt it necessary to take immediate safety precautions.
“Commission cannot continue today, DCJ says he has just received news that somebody who works very close to him has tested positive for COVID-19, therefore he says he will have to self isolate.”
A few minutes later, it went on to confirm that Zuma would not appear next week due to matters that have not been finalised;
“DCJ says the former President Mr. Jacob Zuma will not be testifying next week as was expected to, he says this is due to the letter that the commission has received from his legal team related to matters that are not yet finalised.”
ZUMA’S LAWYERS TELL COMMISSION HE WILL NOT APPEAR NEXT WEEK
Zuma’s lawyer Eric Mabuza furnished the secretary of the commission with a letter on Friday morning stating that it would not be fair for Zuma to appear next week given the fact that his review application is yet to be determined. On 11 January, Zondo said Zuma must appear before the commission from 18 – 22 January or else…
Mabuza, in response to that letter said; “we respectfully disagree with the Commission’s view that President Zuma is obliged to appear on 18-22 January 2021”.
“The Commission is aware that President Zuma has instituted an application to review and set aside the refusal by Deputy Chief Justice Zondo to recuse himself from hearing matters concerning him and his family. The review application is yet to be determined by the court. In our respectful view, President Zuma can only be legally obliged to appear after his review application has been determined,” added Mabuza.
“We respectfully submit that President Zuma will not be appearing before the Commission on 18-22 January 2021. Accordingly, Counsel will not be briefed to appear,” added Mabuza.
