KARYN MAUGHAN: Zuma 'not scared' to testify to state capture commission
'He’s not running away and he is not scared to come. He’s willing to come to testify'
EXTRACT
Zuma’s lawyers released a statement on Thursday insisting that he is “cooperating” with the inquiry. He hit back at Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, asking him to respond to the evidence against him, calling it “unfortunate”.
“Former president Zuma made an election in terms of the rules of the commission that he will not apply to cross-examine the witnesses who allegedly implicated him or may implicate him,” the statement read.
“It would seem that despite him cooperating with the commission his election (in terms of the commission’s own rules) is misunderstood as non-cooperation. We find this very unfortunate.
Jacob Zuma’s lawyer says the former president is “not scared” to testify at the state capture inquiry and that he will do so when invited. “He has no reason not to cooperate, he has never not cooperated. He’s not running away and he is not scared to come. He’s willing to come to testify,” Zuma’s attorney Daniel Mantsha told Times Select on Thursday. “Therefore he should not be treated like he is a suspect, or an accused person.” He stressed that Zuma, as the former head of state, was more than willing to engage with the inquiry’s evidence leaders – and assist them – if asked to do so. “Why can’t you ask him, sit down with him, and ask him, can you help us with this and that? Why is that not being done?” Zuma’s lawyers released a statement on Thursday insisting that he is “cooperating” with the inquiry. He hit back at Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, asking him to respond to the evidence against him, calling it “unfortunate”. “Former president Zuma made an election in terms of the...
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