Zuma Ordered To Appear Before Anti-graft Panel
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published January 28, 2021 | 03:45 PM
South Africa's top court on Thursday ordered ex-president Jacob Zuma to appear before a judicial panel probing alleged graft during his nine-year tenure, ruling he had no right to remain silent during the proceedings
Johannesburg, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jan, 2021 ) :South Africa's top court on Thursday ordered ex-president Jacob Zuma to appear before a judicial panel probing alleged graft during his nine-year tenure, ruling he had no right to remain silent during the proceedings.
Zuma is accused of enabling runaway looting of state assets during his time in office, which ended when he was forced out in February 2018.
The 78-year-old former leader has snubbed summonses by the commission, which is chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
He first said the commission was treating him as an "accused" rather than a witness and then contended bias and demanded that Zondo recuse himself.
He only gave testimony to the commission once, in July 2019, but staged a walkout days later. Since then, Zuma has not testified again, citing health concerns or his preparation for another corruption case related to a 1990s arms deal.
In a case filed by the commission, the Constitutional Court on Thursday ruled Zuma's action amounted to "a direct breach of the law" and that he had to appear and testify before the panel on the dates set by it.
"In our system, no-one is above the law... Jacob Zuma does not have rights to remain silent in proceeding before the commission," ruled Justice Chris Jafta.
Jafta said the commission was set up in 2018 during Zuma's presidency and it was therefore "unacceptable that he is the one that frustrates its investigation." He added that Zuma was entitled to privileges against self-incrimination and had to demonstrate "how the answer to a specific question would breach the privilege." The findings of the anti-corruption commission will not lead directly to indictments but may be transmitted to the prosecution for possible prosecution.
The commission was originally scheduled to sit until March but must request for an extension due to the delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
It has already heard from dozens of ministers or ex-ministers, elected officials, businessmen or senior officials of whom some have indirectly implicated Zuma.
In the latest summons, Zuma had been called to testify from January 18-22 and again from February 15-19.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
More Stories From World
-
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
19 minutes ago -
Golf: PGA Zurich Classic of New Orleans scores
29 minutes ago -
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
6 hours ago -
Google parent Alphabet's Q1 profits beat estimates: company
6 hours ago -
WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case
7 hours ago -
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
7 hours ago
-
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
8 hours ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
8 hours ago -
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
9 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
9 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
9 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
9 hours ago