The request by deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo that his inquiry into state capture be given more time may seem, to a weary public eager for results, to be an unwarranted luxury and an unnecessary further expense. This is understandable — the commission has been sitting since August 2018 and has already heard evidence from more than 270 witnesses, including former and present cabinet ministers and state officials.
By the time it concludes its work its costs are expected to have topped R1bn. In seeking a deadline extension, Zondo said time had been lost due to the lockdown. This is obviously a factor that was outside his control. He also said there were further aspects that required investigation, including the roles of parliament, the State Security Agency and the ANC. And the commission would be remiss not to hear evidence from former president Jacob Zuma, who has pulled every trick in the book to avoid appearing before it.
Zondo is correct in insisting that Zuma answer questions about his role in state capture. He is also right in seeking to hear from President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was deputy president during the state capture years.
The evidence conspicuously missing will, of course, be that of the Guptas, Zuma’s self-acknowledged friends. And more than just informing the nation for the record what transpired in that dark period, the commission will hopefully also yield important lessons about how to ensure there is no repetition.
Equally crucial will be what is nowadays called “consequence management”. The country doesn’t just want full disclosure, it demands that those responsible be brought to justice. It is hoped that the National Prosecuting Authority and the Hawks will act with speed to bring state capture wrongdoers to book.
The credibility of the commission and its outcomes can only be bolstered by gathering as much evidence as possible, especially from the key role-players and institutions. For that reason, the commission must be granted its request for a further extension.
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