jacob zuma state capture inquiry

Photo by MIKE HUTCHINGS / POOL / AFP)

Will Jacob Zuma face the State Capture Inquiry after “health scare”?

Jacob Zuma might have been dodging the State Capture Inquiry since his last appearance, but will his ‘ill-health’ rule him out of facing the music?

jacob zuma state capture inquiry

Photo by MIKE HUTCHINGS / POOL / AFP)

If there’s one man always a step ahead of the game, it’s Jacob Zuma. He’s been able to frustrate a pretty damning case of corruption against his name for the best part of 14 years, and his “Stalingrad” strategy in court is begrudgingly legendary. But to what extent can he keep fobbing off the State Capture Inquiry?

When is Jacob Zuma’s next appearance at the State Capture Inquiry?

Zuma has already cancelled a November appearance at the Zondo Commission, citing ill-health. Then, when he was pressed to submit a response to Redi Tlhabi’s application to cross-examine the former president, his lawyers again blamed sickness. The Monday deadline as been and gone and Zuma’s future engagements with the commission up in the air.

It’s understood he had spent some time in Cuba for medical care. That’s not yet been officially verified. However, he was snapped on an Air France flight this week, looking like the picture of fine health. But some bizarre whispers are coming from the rumour mill, suggesting that JZ isn’t exactly as fit as a fiddle.

Sources close to uBaba have said he is receiving treatment for the poisoning he allegedly suffered at the hands of his ex-wife. Here’s where it gets wild – it has already been reported that Jacob Zuma has suffered “amnesia” as a result of his prolonged ill-health. It’d be convenient, if nothing else.

Will Jacob Zuma go back to the State Capture Inquiry?

Is this enough to stop the State Capture Inquiry chasing after him? No. Will it be used an excuse to evade justice at every possible turn? You bet. Zuma has already set a precedent, and the narrative is in his favour. Msholozi was also deemed “too sick” to attend a hearing relating to his aforemetioned corruption case.

Last month, Jacob Zuma was meant to pick up from where he left off in the winter. He was being questioned about his apparent interference with the SOEs of South Africa, many of which are now wholly ineffective and costly to the taxpayer. He stormed out of his first session, claiming he was being “interrogated by lawyers”.

Questions left to answer

It seems, there and then, Zuma had made a concious decision to frustrate the State Capture Inquiry. Despite being cool as a cucumber during his first two days, the tables turned dramatically after that. JZ had been cornered on a question he couldn’t wriggle out of, and ended up incriminating himself by revealing how autocratic his rule of South Africa was behind closed doors.

Quite frankly, there are still questions to be asked. So Jacob Zuma has to go back. As well as elaborating on how exactly he manipulated the state-owned businesses from personal and Gupta-themed gain, he needs to explain why he thinks Redi Tlhabi has been plotting against him. These accusations must be addressed.

However, part of the game is to do things on his own terms. The controversial figure is likely to face down Raymond Zondo again, but he’ll be ever more prepared – and armed with an excuse or two. That amnesia might make a roaring comeback…