By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture chairperson Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo says the inquiry “cannot say anything at this stage” on whether former president Jacob Zuma was the architect of state capture.
Zondo, on Wednesday, gave updated to the public on the commission’s work during a media briefing, where he indicated that the commission has enough evidence to make “clear findings” without what’s left of former president Zuma’s testimony.
Zuma was guilty of contempt of court by the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) on Tuesday for failing to obey a court order compelling him to appear before the commission.
On the ConCourt ruling against Zuma, Zondo said the commission welcomed the judgement as it showed that no person, despite their status in society, was above the law.
“We think it of great importance in our constitutional democracy and indicates the rule of law of our Constitution. It also reaffirms that we are all equal before the law,” he said.
The chairperson also indicated that the commission will complete its work without Zuma.
“The commission will continue with it’s work [because as we know] Zuma took the view that he will not participate in the commission, he will not appear and he said the commission can whatever conclusion it wishes to reach,” Zondo said.
He further said the commission “cannot say anything at this stage” on whether Zuma was the architect of state capture.
“We will asses and review all the evidence that has been led and whatever he have to say about Mr Zuma’s role and the role of many others will be in the report, “he said.
Zondo, who has sat in 418 days hearing evidence, pointed out the commission has collected 71,000 pages in submissions from more than 300 witnesses ever since the inquiry began its work almost three years ago.
The commission was announced in early 2018, and tasked with investigating allegations of state capture along with public sector corruption and fraud.
It began its work in August of that year and was initially given 180 days to wrap up.
Zondo said the commission will finalise its report “in due course”, hoping that they would do so by the end of August.