Thuli’s state capture evidence piles pressure on Zuma

The evidence – and pressure – piled up against Jacob Zuma following the hand over of former public protector (PP) Thuli Madonsela’s investigation record to the commission of inquiry into allegations of state capture, corruption and fraud in the public sector, including organs of state.

“The record includes documentary evidence and transcripts of meetings and interviews, among other things,” the PP’s spokesperson Oupa Segalwe said yesterday. “It has been packaged into 110 arch lever files and 17 boxes and shipped off to the commission.”

PP Busisiwe Mkhwebane had previously said Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo “must” investigate all the issues using the record of the investigation and Madonsela’s “State of Capture” report as a starting point.

Judiciary spokesperson Nathi Ncube told The Citizen he would not speculate on how helpful the information could be to the commission being chaired by Zondo.

However, Madonsela only gave Zondo 180 days to submit his report and recommendations to President Cyril Ramaphosa once the commission has begun hearing testimony, so the extensive record is likely to lighten the workload.

“We are free to look at the evidence which has already been given in the National Assembly in Portfolio Committees and see to what extent there may be room for us to build on it, and to what extent we might need certain people who have given evidence to give evidence in the commission,” Zondo said.

He noted there “was no way” the commission could finalise its work in six months and he had raised the issue with Ramaphosa. So far, Ramaphosa has only amended one of the regulations, which may have had the effect of blocking criminal prosecution.

The commencement date for the commission has yet to be set.

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