Day three of former president Jacob Zuma’s testimony at the public inquiry into state capture has been adjourned until Friday, commission chairperson DCJ Raymond Zondo has said.
The announcement came following a lengthy break during which Zondo consulted with both sets of legal teams.
The adjournment was requested by Adv. Muzi Sikhakhane who charged that his client was brought to the commission “under false pretences.”
Sikhakhane requested time out to consult with Zuma to decide if the former president will continue giving testimony at the commission or not.
“My client must make up his mind if he wants to continue to be cross-examined,” Sikhakhane told Zondo.
Earlier, Zuma said: “I am being cross examined,” and how can be expected to know every detail… every t crossed and every i dotted.”
A visibly irritated Zuma added that he has given answers, but the commission still wants to go through details.
“What answers will satisfy (the) commission.”
Jacob Zuma
Sikakhane and his colleagues, have over the three days, interjected numerous times, objecting that the line of questioning by evidence leader Adv. Paul Pretorius is unfair and amounts to a cross-examination of Zuma.
Zuma’s legal team’s forceful interjection, accompanied by a threat to pull out, was prompted by Pretorius’ sustained questioning of whether Zuma insisted on the appointment of Siyabonga Gama as the CEO of Transnet, despite him facing serious charges.
Zuma denied this many times.
“I would not have said this. Not at all. I would be undermining the process itself. The final decision must be a product of the process. I would not have said this,” Zuma said in one of his denials.
This allegation was made by Barbara Hogan at the commission last year, who was Public Enterprises Minister at the time of the appointment.
Zuma then said: “I have a problem chair, I am not an officer, or cabinet secretary who takes minutes, the manner in which I am asked questions on details I can’t remember.”
Zondo added: “And again Mr. Zuma, where you don’t know, feel free to say, “I don’t know.”
Announcing the adjournment until Friday, Zondo said it has been decided that proceedings should be adjourned for the day and Thursday, to afford both sets of legal teams full opportunity to find solutions about a way forward.
Zondo added that it will give time to address Zuma’s concerns without compromising the obligations of the commission’s legal team.
“I am confident there are reasonable prospects that an accommodation can be found,” Zondo concluded.
