Zuma could face jail time for Zondo commission walkout – legal expert
Legal expert Ulrich Roux says the commission of inquiry into state capture would be within its rights to issue a warrant of arrest for former president Jacob Zuma.
Zuma left the commission’s proceedings on Thursday without asking for permission after his application for chairperson Raymond Zondo’s recusal was turned down.
The walkout places him in contempt of the commission, which could lead to a fine or even a six month jail sentence.
Just before the tea adjournment on Thursday, Zuma’s legal representative Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane said they would excuse themselves from the proceedings to review Zondo’s judgment.
However, evidence leader Paul Pretorius pointed out that leaving without permission would be in defiance of the summons.
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Roux says the subpoena served by Zondo still holds weight.
He says unless the High Court sets the summons aside, Zondo is at liberty to act against Zuma.
"The next steps would either be for the rely on the Commissions Act to either issue him with a penalty, possible imprisonment for 6 months or to apply for a warrant of arrest in order to bring him before the commission so that he will be forced to testify.
"The fact that he had said the wanted to take the decision on review means nothing, because no formal application has been lodged yet," Roux explains.
Zondo said the commission would take time to reflect on the matter.
