Zuma might testify in state capture investigation

South Africa’s justice department has published terms of reference to guide the investigation of a new commission looking into the on the so called state capture scandal. The decision aligns with a recommendation made by the public protector report into allegations of influence-peddling, corruption and fraud in President Jacob Zuma’s government. Mr Zuma is alleged […]

South Africa’s justice department has published terms of reference to guide the investigation of a new commission looking into the on the so called state capture scandal.

The decision aligns with a recommendation made by the public protector report into allegations of influence-peddling, corruption and fraud in President Jacob Zuma’s government.

Mr Zuma is alleged to have been involved in corrupt deals with three brothers, known as the Guptas. Both parties deny any wrongdoing.

The beleaguered president had initially opposed the setting up of the commission and later on, reportedly, wanted the investigations to have a wider mandate to look at crimes committed during the apartheid regime. 

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, however, disagreed with this push. 

He said he did not want this particular case to be “contaminated” by other historical investigations. 

He however clarified that all those investigations going back into the apartheid era can still be done but not together with this one.

Given the scope of these terms of reference it goes without saying that sooner or later we will see President Zuma giving evidence from the witness box under oath.