Jacob Zuma not applying for cross-examination at state capture inquiry
Former president Jacob Zuma has not formally applied to cross-examine any of the state capture commission witnesses – but his son Duduzane and two of the Gupta brothers have filed such applications.
TimesLIVE has established that Zuma’s lawyers have written to the commission‚ saying that he does not believe he has criminally or ethically been implicated by the testimony of former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas‚ former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor‚ former government communications head Themba Maseko or his deputy Phumla Williams.
As a result‚ he will not seek to cross-examine these witnesses. Former public enterprises minister Lynne Brown has also indicated she wants to cross-examine Jonas.
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Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo‚ who is heading the commission‚ told Brown’s lawyer that her application “might not be properly considered” until she is implicated.
Advocate Mike Hellens SC‚ who leads Ajay Gupta’s legal team‚ told Zondo that the Gupta patriarch had provided affidavits “setting out his version of events” in regard to the evidence given by Maseko and Mentor. Hellens has represented Jonas and therefore will not represent the Guptas in their bid to cross-examine him. Instead‚ Advocate Dawie Joubert will argue for Gupta brothers Ajay and Rajesh‚ and Duduzane Zuma‚ to be given the right to cross-examine Jonas. While Duduzane Zuma has indicated that he is prepared to take the stand‚ Ajay Gupta’s attorney Rudi Krause says he wants to give his evidence “outside of South Africa” because of his “mistrust” of local law enforcement officials.
Controversial arms deal advisor Fana Hlongwane‚ who Jonas says witnessed a Gupta brother try to bribe him‚ and later threaten to kill him‚ has also applied for the right to cross-examine Jonas – as has Major General Zinhle Mnonopi‚ the Hawks officer who Jonas said tried to “kill” the criminal case linked to his evidence.
Zuma’s former PA Lakela Kaunda has also applied for the right to cross-examine Mentor about her evidence that she had arranged for Atul Gupta to ferry her from the airport to a meeting with Zuma. Mentor has testified that Ajay Gupta offered her the position of public enterprises minister at that meeting‚ in exchange for her killing the SAA route between Johannesburg and India. The hearing continues.
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