Zondo commission asks for yet another extension

The Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture has launched an urgent application in the North Gauteng High Court for yet another extension.

Chairperson of the commission, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo reportedly wants the hearings to be extended until 31 December.

The commission is expected to hand over its report to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The state capture commission’s urgent application comes as the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) is expected to deliver its judgment on former president Jacob Zuma’s application to rescind the contempt ruling made against him.

Back in July, Zuma filed an urgent application with the ConCourt for the rescission of his contempt conviction and 15 months imprisonment.

Now, the ConCourt will decide on Friday whether it will set aside his contempt of court conviction or uphold it.

The application was filed in terms of rule 42 of the Uniform Rules of Court, read with rule 29 of the ConCourt, which states that a court may vary or rescind a ruling granted in the absence of the affected party.

In his application, Zuma asked the court to consider giving him an opportunity to plead as to whether direct imprisonment was an appropriate sanction – should his rescission application be dismissed.

The former president was only in prison for several weeks and is currently out on medical parole after undergoing surgery at a private hospital.

Compiled by Vhahangwele Nemakonde. Additional reporting by Siyanda Ndlovu