By Staff Reporter
JOHANNESBURG – Stubborn South African former president Jacob Zuma is still in no show for the ‘Zondo commission inquiry despite him being ordered by the High Court to do so.
The former president did not show up on Monday where he is being required to appear and answer to questions of corruption during his time in office.
“The summons issued for our client to appear on Feb 15-19 2021 is irregular,” wrote Zuma’s lawyer in a letter, confirming that he will not show up, justifying his no-show.
The inquiry led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is penetrating allegations of high-level graft during his nine years in power.
Zuma, is denying wrongdoing but he however has not yet cooperated with the investigation.
Zuma is claiming that the summons calling him was irregular because he was waiting for a court decision to review Zondo’s refusal to recuse himself.
But Zondo said that he was aware that Zuma intended to lodge a review application for his recusal but the commission made it clear that that was no reason for him not to appear, especially when he had not filed it yet.
Commissioner Zondo added that, “It’s difficult to understand why he (Zuma) would be scared of taking the witness stand and subjecting himself to questioning like everyone else.”
Zuma was removed as president in 2018 over the accusations, which include that businessmen close to him used their position to plunder state resources and influence policy.
Zuma walked out of proceedings in November without permission, after which the inquiry approached the constitutional court to make him re-appear and give evidence.
