Zondo turns down DA request to cross-examine witnesses at state capture inquiry
The chairperson of the judicial commission of inquiry into state capture, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, has turned down the DA's application to access witnesses and directly participate in the proceedings due to get under way on Monday.
The DA wanted, amongst other things, access to all non-confidential evidence formally submitted to the commission, the right to examine witnesses who testify and the right to make written and oral argument at the conclusion of the commission.
In a seven-page statement, Zondo said that, like any member of the public, the DA could make a contribution to the work of the commission and would have access to all documents presented during a public hearing.
However, it would be excluded from access to evidence the commission deemed confidential.
"The DA, like any member of the public, is free to present any relevant documentary evidence to the commission’s legal team, through the secretary of the commission, for consideration as evidence to be placed before the chairperson of the commission, but its request to present such evidence directly to the commission in a hearing is declined," Zondo said.