LIVE | ConCourt rules that former president Jacob Zuma must appear before the state capture inquiry

The revelations about a rogue ring of spies, reporting directly to Zuma and accountable to no one, isn't new. It was part of the protracted legal battle related to the SARS High-risk Investigation Unit (HRIU). This is our report from 2019, why was nothing done about it? 

- Pieter du Toit

EXCLUSIVE | Shadowy ring of spies who reported directly to Zuma still active

Spies from the State Security Agency's (SSA) controversial Special Operations Unit reported directly to former president Jacob Zuma, according to the Inspector General of Intelligence (IGI).

This unit was commanded by Thulani Dlomo, considered by many in the intelligence community to be "Zuma's spy", who has now gone missing and has been declared absent without leave by the SSA.

Zuma rewarded him with the ambassadorship to Japan, but he was recalled earlier this year by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The Constitutional Court has also ordered Zuma to pay the Inquiry’s legal costs in bringing a case to compel him to appear before it, after finding that such an order was justified by the former President’s “reprehensible conduct” towards the commission.

“His conduct seriously undermined the commission’s investigation, that included matters on which [Zuma] may be the only witness with personal knowledge. For example, as the president at the relevant time, [Zuma] was the only person who could appoint and dismiss ministers from Cabinet. And the commission was mandated to investigate issues relating to the appointment and dismissal of ministers from Cabinet during [Zuma’s] presidency”.

- Karyn Maughan

Speaking on the observation [from Mr Y’s affidavit ] that the focus of the security cluster shifted from the security of all people to the security of one person [former President Jacob Zuma], Ms K said: "I would not agree on the part of the security cluster. I do not have information to confirm that the security cluster shifted their focus to that, I could say that the SSA resources were re-allocated sort of, for the benefit of former President Zuma."

- Canny Maphanga

Unskilled and unvetted persons were being deployed to the presidential personal security force. Incompetent individuals were appointed and called to assist with proper policy-making.

I've seen several CVs of coworkers, says Miss K, some of them didn't have matric but were getting R40 000 in cash.

Not only did the Constitutional Court order Zuma to appear at the Zondo commission and to testify, it also ordered the former president - who has pleaded poverty in the past - to carry the cost of the commissions application, including that of two counsel. It won't be a small amount.

- Pieter du Toit

The state capture commission has resumed, Miss K is testifying. Evidence being led by Advocate Paul Pretorius SC.

The Constitutional Court has ordered former President Jacob Zuma to obey all summons issued against him by the State Capture Inquiry and appear before it – and says he does not have a right to remain silent in proceedings.

In a unanimous decision delivered this morning, Justice Chris Jafta said Zuma does have the right to not answer questions that he can show will incriminate him.

'Waste of time' - ConCourt questions state capture inquiry's long-winded Zuma subpoena process

The commission of inquiry into state capture has faced some tough questions from the Constitutional Court about its efforts to get former president Jacob Zuma to testify – and why it did not subpoena him to appear far earlier than it did.

Zondo Commission spy saga shows why parliamentary oversight and openness are critical

Since Friday, South Africa's pay satellite television service has been running a pop-up channel, featuring James Bond movies. However, by Tuesday, the intrepid 007's exploits were overtaken by a homespun spy story, as regaled to the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

Zuma's 'Secret Service': How ex-president's 'private spy force' was recruited before he even took office

Former president Jacob Zuma was protected by a "private force" of intelligence operatives, who were selected and trained to solely serve his personal interests by corruption-accused spy boss Thulani Dlomo, the inquiry into state capture has heard.