Pretoria – Max Boqwana, representing former president Thabo Mbeki and his former Cabinet ministers at the Seriti Commission of Inquiry, withdrew on Tuesday.

Boqwana asked the commission to allow him to withdraw, saying there were issues which needed to be resolved before representing Mbeki and others.

Evidence leader Tshepo Sibeko, SC, confirmed that there had been engagements with Boqwana.

“We have no objection to his withdrawal,” Sibeko said.

Commission chairperson Judge Willie Seriti said the legal representation of witnesses fell outside the commission’s ambit.

Witnesses could have their own legal representation at their own cost.

President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission in 2011 to investigate alleged corruption in the 1999 multi-billion rand arms deal.

– SAPA