Zondo applies for extension, 'can't end commission's work irresponsibly'

The commission is already on a three-month extension, which was granted in February. 

The commission's oral testimonies will come to an end in June. 

The commission's chair, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, said they want an extension from July to September. 

"As things stand subject to one qualification, we should have heard all oral evidence by the end of June that the commission considers important. The qualification is that there about five or six witnesses the commission considers important, before the commission can properly conclude oral evidence. This is apart from the president."

President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to appear on the 29th and 30th of June to complete his testimony at the commission in his capacity as the president of the country. 

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Zondo said the other witnesses would not be able to appear before the end of June. 

"We are going to be applying to the high court to get more time to complete the commission's work properly. If the high court grants us an extension, we will be able to hear the evidence of the outstanding evidence in July as well as the president's testimony before or no later than July. 

"Once we have heard all that evidence, then that should conclude the hearing of oral evidence," added Zondo

He said he was aware that there are people in the public domain who are demanding that the commission wraps up its work as soon as possible, but has been working hard to do that by doing evening sittings. 

Zondo said he would not rush to complete the commission's work irresponsibly.