Zondo dismayed at Zuma’s bolt from State Capture Commission

The chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has said former president Jacob Zuma’s departure from Thursday’s proceedings without being granted permission was “a serious matter”.

Ahead of the tea adjournment after Zondo had delivered his ruling dismissing Zuma’s application for the commission’s chair to recuse himself, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane said they would excuse themselves from the proceedings to consider Zondo’s judgement.

ALSO READ: Zondo dismisses Zuma’s recusal application

However, the commission’s advocate Paul Pretorius pointed out that if Zuma excused himself from the commission without Zondo’s permission he would be acting in defiance of the summons for him to appear at the inquiry and unlawfully.

Zondo was notified after the tea break that Zuma had left the commission.

State Capture commission has resumed after tea. Zondo says he’s been told Zuma’s left. “Mr Zuma had been issued with a summons to be here from Monday to tomorrow unless he was excused from me”. #ZondoCommission @TheCitizen_News

— Bernadette Wicks (Wolhuter) (@bern_wicks) November 19, 2020

Zondo said it was a pity that Zuma had left the commission without asking for permission, adding that the “commission will reflect on matters it needs to reflect on” and its work will continue.

Zondo: “It is a pity that he has elected to leave without asking for permission”. Adjourned to next week for the commission to “reflect” on matters but Zondo insists it will continue its work. #ZondoCommission @TheCitizen_News

— Bernadette Wicks (Wolhuter) (@bern_wicks) November 19, 2020

Zondo adjourned proceeding until Monday next week.

ALSO READ: Zuma runs to JSC after Zondo recusal rejection