Zondo: Allegations Against Jacob Zuma Now Considered Evidence

- Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has set aside his usual diplomacy as far as Jacob Zuma is concerned

- Zondo announced that the testimony of over 40 witnesses implicating Zuma will now be seen as 'evidence'

- In addition to this, the Inquiry has released the questions they had intended to ask Zuma had he appeared

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Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has changed his tune as far as former president Jacob Zuma is concerned on Monday.

Zondo announced that the testimony of over 40 witnesses who have implicated the ANC politician at the State Capture Inquiry will now no longer be seen as 'allegations' but classed as 'evidence' instead.

Zondo questioned the logic at play, raising the question of why Zuma had opted out of answering to the allegations levied against him at the Inquiry.

Outlining key allegations made against Zuma, Advocate Paul Pretorious says that the evidence of 'interference' at state-owned entities has become 'overwhelming':

“There is substantial evidence that Zuma involved himself directly in affairs of SOEs. Had the former president appeared at the Commission on Monday, he would have been asked to respond in detail to allegations regarding his relationship with the Gupta family. Zuma has been implicated by at least 40 witnesses – and should answer to these allegations.”

Pretorious explained that the list of state-owned entities was a broad one, continuing:

“These include Eskom, Transnet, and Prasa amongst others. The evidence we have also suggests that Zuma involved himself directly in Eskom affairs. We are also looking at the ‘protection’ former SAA chairperson Dudu Miyeni received from Zuma. In time, there has been evidence of vast acts of corruption.”

Pretorious then went on to outline the questions that would have been posed to Zuma this week:

• Was Zuma directly involved in repurposing SOEs for the benefit of his family [principally Duduzane] and the Guptas?
• How did the Guptas have prior knowledge of ministerial appointments and dismissals?
• Why were the Guptas allowed to influence executive appointments through bribery?
• Why did Zuma involve himself in the affairs of SOEs?
• How come Cabinet appointments were rapidly followed by appointments of board members?
• Can Zuma explain why he involved himself directly in the suspension of senior Eskom executives?
• What about the evidence of large sums of cash coming and going at Saxonwold through a number of SOE officials?
• What does Zuma know about the failed nuclear deal, and the activities in Russia where Nhlanhla Nene was involved?
• Why did Bosasa give the Jacob Zuma Foundation roughly R3 million?

Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that former president Jacob Zuma's legal team has confirmed that he will indeed not be appearing before the State Capture Inquiry.

In a letter sent to inform the Constitutional Court of the decision, Mabuza Attorneys outlined the reasons:

"The Commission is aware that the review application which President Zuma has instituted to set aside the refusal by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo to recuse himself from hearing matters concerning him and his family is yet to be determined by the court."

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Source: Briefly News