AS IT HAPPENED | Zuma leaves Zondo commission without permission, in defiance of summons

Summary of Jacob Zuma's appearance at the state capture commission  

Former president Jacob Zuma made a brief appearance at the state capture commission to hear whether his recusal application for commission chair Ray Zondo would be granted.  

Zondo highlighted that Zuma was the first person the commission issued two 10.6 directives.  

In his judgment, Zondo said that he was not friends with Zuma and a meeting between the two was official rather than social.  

Zondo then dismissed Zuma's recusal application saying that argument of bias was without merit.  

Following the tea break, Zondo announced that Zuma had left the commission without being excused and announced that the commission would adjourn and reflect on what it wold do next.  

"This is a serious matter," says Zondo of Zuma's actions.  

- Compiled by Duncan Alfreds

"There is not point," says Zondo as he adjourns the hearing.  

The commission will reflect on what to do next

"This is a serious matter," says Zondo.  

Zuma was meant to take the witness stand

Excusal means Zuma is acting in defiance of the summons, says commission counsel.  

The summons stands.  

Tea adjournment for ruling

Zuma lawyer says they will excuse themselves from the proceedings.  

Says Zondo has become the judge in matters that involve himself

Zondo says Zuma's argument of biased comments has no merit.  

Zondo says a judge in a court of law has the right to ask questions and make comments.  

Zondo says he will not be passive and seek clarification and testing evidence

Zondo says that Zuma should have raised his concerns with the Chief Justice if he was concerned about Zondo.  

There was no sound reason why Zuma only raised the issue of friendship three years after Zondo was chosen to chair the commission

Zondo is ready to decide application for recusal.  

Says Zuma did not raise concerns of Zondo friendship with the Chief Justice.  

Zondo said that he has known Zuma since the early 1990s, they are not friends

Zondo explains the application of bias as decided by the Constitutional Court.  

"An impartial judge is a fundamental prerequisite for a fair trial."

Zondo says he issued two directives in terms of regulation 10.6 for Zuma to appear before the commission.  

Zuma sits, stone-faced as he listens to Zondo

Karyn Maughan | Zuma vs Zondo: The unholy mess

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is in a near impossible position in deciding on what to rule with regards to Jacob Zuma's recusal application, writes Karyn Maughan.

State Capture inquiry chair Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said a decision on the recusal application brought by former president Jacob Zuma will be ready on Wednesday morning.

After a full day of arguments on Monday, Zondo was expected to deliver his ruling on Tuesday, but said he needed time to go over a few documents.

"I am still working on it," said Zondo. 

Zondo adjourned proceedings to Wednesday morning at 10:00.

Decision expected today

Zondo said he would consider the submissions overnight, and is expected to provide a decision today.

Zuma claims state capture is a political concept to bury him

State capture is a political concept, and the commission investigating it is the "grave to bury" him by people with axes to grind – this according to former president Jacob Zuma.

On Monday, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo heard argument by Zuma's counsel, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane during an application for Zondo to be recused.

It appears that if this application is unsuccessful, the Zuma-camp will not give up the fight. 

"Even if we lose, we will review you and take the matter further," Sikhakhane said, adding that if Zuma is forced to testify in an environment in which he feels uncomfortable, he will "exercise his right to say nothing".

Zondo commission: Zuma concerned about narrative he 'messed up our country'

Corruption-accused former president Jacob Zuma is concerned that the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture is part of a narrative in which he is painted as "the man who messed up our country", his lawyer, Muzi Sikhakhane, told the commission on Monday morning.

Establishment of state capture inquiry was 'politically motivated' - Jacob Zuma's lawyer

Former president Jacob Zuma doesn't fear any finding, his legal counsel, advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, told the Zondo commission into state capture.

Sikhakhane was arguing as to why the commission's chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, should be recused.

The commission's evidence leader, advocate Paul Pretorius, said it is difficult not to conclude that the real reason why Zuma brought such an application is that he has an apprehension there will be findings against him.

Zuma's application was heard on Monday.

Zuma claims state capture is a political concept to bury him

State capture is a political concept, and the commission investigating it is the "grave to bury" him by people with axes to grind – this according to former president Jacob Zuma.

On Monday, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo heard argument by Zuma's counsel, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane during an application for Zondo to be recused.

It appears that if this application is unsuccessful, the Zuma-camp will not give up the fight. 

"Even if we lose, we will review you and take the matter further," Sikhakhane said, adding that if Zuma is forced to testify in an environment in which he feels uncomfortable, he will "exercise his right to say nothing".

Zondo adjourns for the day. "I will use the evening to consider the submissions made by both sides."

He adds that he would like to finalise his decision as early as possible, maybe even tomorrow. 

State capture inquiry: Zuma will 'exercise right to say nothing' if Zondo doesn't recuse himself

If Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo doesn't create an environment in which corruption-accused former president Jacob Zuma feels comfortable - by recusing himself as the commission's chair - Zuma will "exercise his right to say nothing", says Zuma's legal counsel, advocate Muzi Sikhakhane.

Sikhakhane said if they lose the application, they'll review it, and if he is forced to bring Zuma to the stand, "he'll exercise his right to say nothing".