Alex Mitchley
Civil society organisations have called on Deputy Judge President Raymond Zondo, who is chairing the commission of inquiry into state capture, to not treat certain witnesses with kid gloves, and to robustly apply the principle of equality before the law.
According to a joint statement by organisations such as the Right2Know Campaign (R2K), Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), Section27 and Corruption Watch, treating witnesses differently would set a bad precedent.
The organisations were referring to the testimony and treatment of former president Jacob Zuma, who appeared before the commission last week.
“The decision by the Zondo commission not to hold former president Jacob Zuma to account risks setting a negative precedent,” the statement reads.
“Other perpetrators called to appear, including CEOs of large banks, law firms, auditing firms and politicians, could now demand similar advantages, threatening the objectivity of the commission and thereby playing into the hands of the powerful.”