Implicated persons will be given chance to testify: Justice Zondo
Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has assured those implicated in testimonies before the state capture inquiry will be afforded an opportunity to give their side of the story.
Over the last three weeks - evidence before the Commission has focused on facilities management company - Bosasa's influence in government and monthly bribes the company allegedly paid to land contracts and keep law enforcement off their back.
Testimony by former COO, Angelo Agrizzi has implicated former President Jacob Zuma, Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, suspended deputy NPA head Nomgcobo Jiba and the Commission of Inquiry's secretary Khotso De Wee - among others.
Some of those mentioned in Agrizzi's testimony have claimed they were not informed that they would be implicated and have since lodged complaints with the commission.
Justice Zondo says the commission's legal team publicly provided reasons for this before Agrizzi began his testimony.
"There was an application that I had in which the legal team of the Commission explained why an advance warning had not been given to the implicated persons. They gave reasons in the open," Zondo said.
ALSO READ: Agrizzi details benefits Mokonyane allegedly received annually
Zondo explains why he didn't immediately make a decision on the application by the legal team.
"On the face of what I'd been told, it did appear that there was justification. I said I would leave the issue without deciding yet to enable any implicated person who wished to make an issue of the lack of advance warning to do so in due course. I will then deal with the matter at that stage," Zondo said.
Zondo says there's no intention not to allow those implicated to respond to the claims against them.
"The legal team made it clear that except for the advance warning and the fact that the statement or affidavit of Mr. Agrizzi was not given to implicated persons ahead of his evidence - all their rights as set out in the rules of the Commission would be observed. In due course, they would be given relevant portions of this statement or affidavit so that they could deal with the allegations against them," Zondo said.
NOW READ: DA wants President to launch probe into Bosasa, govt contracts
