On Monday, the former president's lawyers, along with other legal representatives of those involved in state detention, asked for more time to investigate witness statements.
FILE: Former South African president Jacob Zuma appeared in the Supreme Court of Durban on 8 June 2018. He is charged with 16 counts, including fraud, corruption and extortion. Image: Felix Dlangamandla / Pool
JOHANNESBURG – While the state commission inquiry committee is entering its second day, former President Jacob Zuma says his request for more time is by no means an attempt to delay the procedure.
On Monday, the former president's lawyers, along with other legal representatives of those involved in state detention, asked for more time to investigate witness statements.
The former president says that he wants to participate meaningfully in the state acceptance committee, but that he wants more time to prepare and decide how he can participate.
Lawyer Muzi Sikhakhane, lawyer for his lawyer, says, "We are not going to slow down that process, no matter what we choose to do."
He says they need more time to study allegations against the former president.
"We want a meaningful participation in this very important process."
Sikhakhane has confirmed that some of the witnesses who are accusing the accusations against Zuma include Vytjie Mentor, Phumla Williams and Themba Maseko.
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Mentor will give testimony to the committee of inquiry into state reception on Monday 27 August.
Mentor, who had a strong criticism of her party and her leadership position, once revealed on social media how former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas R600,000 kickback was offered by the Gupta family at their home in Saxonwold, a process that was personally facilitated by Zuma.
Mentor appears together with Jonas in the investigation, chaired by deputy chief judge Raymond Zondo, as the first two witnesses.
She recorded her Facebook on Sunday to encourage the audience to watch the research on television.
"It is important for all of us that South Africans view / follow the committee from the start, so please look from tomorrow," she said.
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