By REGINALD KANYANE
Former President, Jacob Zuma has written a letter to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture, Corruption, and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State informing that he will not appear before it as scheduled.
The Zondo Commission has set aside the week 15-19 February 2021 for the hearing of Zuma’s evidence after he was implicated by numerous witnesses who appeared before the Commission.
Zuma, through his lawyers, Mabuza Attorneys stated in a letter that: “We formally inform you the Commission, as a matter of courtesy, that our client will not be appearing before the Commission on 15-19 February 2021, for the reasons set below.
“The Commission is aware that the review application which Zuma has instituted to set aside the refusal by the Deputy Chief Justice Zondo to recuse himself from hearing matters concerning him and his family is yet to be determined by the court.”
The letter continues that the summons issued for Zuma to appear on 15-19 February 2021 is irregular and not in line with the Fourth Order of the Constitutional Court judgment of 28 January 2021.
“Appearing before DCJ Zondo in the circumstances would undermine and invalidate the review application over his decision not to recuse himself. We also place on record the review application was not before the Constitutional Court and, accordingly, was considered, determined, and/or adjudicated by that court.
“We reiterate that above should not be construed to suggest any defiance of a legal process. All our client’s rights are reserved.”
The Commission approached the Constitutional Court late last year forcing Zuma to appear before it and answer all questions directed to him.
Meanwhile, Zuma is believed to be at his homestead in Nkandla village, in Kwazulu-Natal. MKMVA president, Kebby Maphatsoe said they will protect Zuma and make sure it is difficult to arrest him.
The Guardian 