Zondo aims to complete report in August

The commission began its work in August 2018 and has since spent just under R1 billion.

Some key witnesses, including former president Jacob Zuma and the Guptas, failed to testify before the commission.

In a media briefing on Wednesday the commission’s chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, said he was confident it would be able to complete its work without their testimonies. 

"There is really no time to hear the Guptas now. We have reached a point where we must wrap up, they made the election that they made, and we must go ahead. I must indicate that the Guptas did file some affidavits with the commission in repones to certain witnesses, not all witnesses, where they put their versions.

“Earlier this year or end of last year there are some affidavits they filed, we will look at whatever is there, but we are not going to open a hearing for the Guptas.”

He said he does not anticipate that Zuma's failure to continue with his testimony would have a major impact on the commission's work.

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But he did admit that it would have been beneficial if he had concluded his testimony.

The former president has been implicated by at least 40 witnesses. 

"It would have been better to have had Mr Zuma appear before the commission and making himself available for questioning until the questions were exhausted. But the commission has called several witnesses who have given evidence and many of them corroborating one another on various issues. So, I am satisfied that in the end, the commission will be able to make clear findings based on the evidence it has.

"You must remember that all the affidavits of witnesses who have implicated Mr Zuma have been sent to him. He knows what those witnesses have said against him, and he has chosen to keep quiet and not deny or admit to the allegations," said Zondo.

He said with the three-month extension granted by the High Court in Pretoria this week, the commission aims to complete the report by August.

However, they asked for an extension to September in case they are not able to achieve this.

 Five or six witnesses are still expected to appear at the commission, including former President Cyril Ramaphosa in his capacity as former deputy head of state and current head of state.