The long-awaited judicial investigation committee to state prison, the Guptas, former president Jacob Zuma and his son, Duduzane, starts on Monday. News24's peak letter will show you square.
What is the Zondo Commission of Inquiry?
It is a judicial investigation committee set up by the then president Jacob Zuma on 23 January 2018 to investigate allegations of state violations. It is led by Deputy Chief Judge Ray Zondo.
What is mandated to do?
The official promulgation of the commission in the Government Gazette instructs the committee to investigate and investigate and make recommendations for all allegations of state intervention, corruption and fraud in the public sector.
Does the mandate cover specific accusations of state collection?
Yes, it is very clear that it covers at least 11 issues identified by the then public protector Thuli Madonsela in her report on state capture. This includes attempts to bribe a vice-minister of finance (Mcebisi Jonas), access of the Guptas to Eskom and possible violations of the Executive Ethics Code in the appointment of members of the cabinet by Zuma.
But does the committee have real power?
Yes, it is composed in terms of the law of the law and has the power to enter and search each property, it can force someone to testify and demand that documents be handed to him.
Can this lead to prosecutions?
According to the committee's proclamation, it can refer any matter to the relevant law enforcement agency for prosecution or further investigation.
Is it only Zondo who is on the committee?
No, he has five commissioners who help him, including the former auditor-general Terence Nombembe, who is in charge of a research team, and pleads for Paul Pretorius, SC, in charge of legal affairs. Also on the committee are lawyers Vincent Maleka, SC, Leah Gcabashe and Thandi Norman.
If it was proclaimed in January, why does it only start in August?
Zondo had to build his team from scratch, and that took time. Interviews with possible witnesses started only in June, while Nombembe had to contract his chosen researchers. According to Pretorius, the legal team had to sort the information in order and according to themes, so that investigations could be planned in the right way.
Will the committee have enough time to complete its work?
Zuma & # 39; s proclamation initially asked the committee to report within 180 days. The committee, however, obtained a court order whereby the duration of the committee was extended by a further 24 months from the date of 1 March 2018.
Former Deputy Minister of Finance Mcebisi Jonas. (File, Gallo Images)
Who will be tesitfy?
Mcebisi Jonas, who was approached by the Guptas to become the minister of finance, Themba Maseko, the former head of government communication, who was asked by Zuma to help the Guptas, Vytjie Mentor, the ANC member of parliament who got a cabinet job and Willie Mathebula, the head of public procurement at the National Treasury, are all planning to testify in the first round of the hearings.
And what about JZ, who was never afraid to call the Guptas his friends?
According to the Sunday Times, the committee contacted the former president to inquire about his availability to assist the committee. It is unclear whether he will testify.
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela. (File, Gallo Images)
What is considered mandatory reading?
South African bookstores have been inundated with reports of misrule, corruption and state entry under Zuma and the Guptas, so every good bookstore is worth a visit. But nothing will beat Madonsela's "State of Capture" report as a primer.
Where is the committee?
It has taken up residence in Parktown, Johannesburg. The hearings are open to the public and will also be broadcast live.
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