Senior leaders of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Monday discussed with former President Jacob Zuma his refusal to obey a court ruling requiring him to testify before a commission of inquiry on corruption.
The
“six most senior”
ANC leaders, who spoke online with Jacob Zuma
“agreed to give him time to continue speaking with his lawyers”
on whether or not to appear before the Commission ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule told a press conference.
Read also: Jacob Zuma sued for corruption
Jacob Zuma, 78, whose nine years in power (2009-2018) have been marred by numerous scandals, has multiplied the schemes since the creation of this commission in 2018 to avoid testifying.
By snubbing an umpteenth summons in mid-February, the former head of state at the same time ignored a decision rendered in January by the Constitutional Court, forcing him to appear and depriving him of the right to keep the silence.
The Commission then asked the Supreme Court to sentence Jacob Zuma to two years in prison for
"contempt".
The Constitutional Court will examine on March 25, during a virtual hearing, this request filed by the commission of inquiry against Jacob Zuma.
Discussions Monday between Jacob Zuma and the six ANC leaders, including the head of state Cyril Ramaphosa, lasted several hours and were
"constructive"
, according to Ace Magashule.
"We will respect his individual rights"
, he continued, stressing that Jacob Zuma
"did not refuse to appear"
before the Commission, but has
"problems"
with the President of the Commission, Raymond Zondo.
Jacob Zuma lodged in November a petition to challenge Raymond Zondo - vice-president of the Constitutional Court and as such the second highest figure in the judicial institution in South Africa - calling into question his impartiality through personal links .
The ANC secretary general described Monday's discussions as
"very good, very constructive, positive"
and
"frank".
Jacob Zuma only testified once before the Commission, in 2019, before the hearing was suspended, the former president complaining of the too insistent tone in his eyes of the questions being asked.
He then let it be known through his lawyers that he now refused to participate in this procedure and has since refused to testify on several occasions, calling for an
"impartial"
judge
and claiming not to fear being arrested.
Embroiled in a string of corruption scandals, Jacob Zuma was forced to resign in 2018 and was replaced by Cyril Ramaphosa.
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