South Africa extends inquiry into corruption during ex-president's rule

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) – A court in South Africa on Wednesday granted another extension to a judicial commission investigating widespread systemic corruption during former President Jacob Zuma’s tenure.

The inquiry, announced in March 2018 and started in August that year, was supposed to be wrapped up in six months but has been repeatedly extended.

With the latest deadline this month, the commission led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo approached the high court in Pretoria for an extension and has been given three more months to hand in a final report to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The inquiry has heard several witnesses speak about “state capture” during Zuma’s rule, during which his associates – particularly the influential Gupta family – allegedly took control of most state operations and finances.

The Gupta family, headed by three bothers Ajay, Atul, and Rajesh, came to South Africa from India some two decades ago.

They established various businesses in the country, including mining, media, and information technology companies among others.

The family fled to Dubai after Zuma was forced to resign in 2018.

Multiple officials have told the commission about how Zuma gave the Guptas lucrative government contracts without following due process.

The family is also said to have influenced the former president to appoint or fire ministers to protect their businesses.

President Ramaphosa, who served as Zuma’s deputy, has also testified in the inquiry.

Mcebisi Jonas, a former deputy finance minister, told the commission that the Guptas wanted to make him the finance minister in 2015 and offered him 600 million rand (around $40 million) to advance their business interests.

The Guptas have denied all allegations, as has Zuma, who was jailed for 15 months this July for refusing to appear before the judicial commission.

The 79-year-old spent a few weeks at a prison in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province before being moved to a hospital, where his lawyers said he underwent a surgery for an undisclosed ailment.

Zuma was granted medical parole earlier this month but his appeal to overturn the prison sentence was rejected by South Africa’s top court.​​​​​​​