The Free State Provincial Government reiterates its absolute commitment to cooperate with the Zondo Commission
The Premier of the Free State, Sisi Ntombela, has noted with concern, the allegations made to the Zondo Commission. The alleged comments are that despite the Premier’s commitment to cooperate with the Commission, certain documents were not forthcoming.
The Free State Provincial Government has previously, through its highest officials, committed itself publicly to cooperate with the Zondo Commission and, as acknowledged by the Chairperson of the Commission, the Premier also expressed the same commitment to the Chairperson. As far as Mr Dukwana’s anticipated appearance before the Commission is concerned, the Free State Provincial Government in fact cooperated where possible.
Full cooperation was given to the Sheriff when the initial provisional order was executed.
This was in fact recorded under oath by the independent supervising Attorneys appointed by the Court to accompany the Sheriff. The Advocate, representing the Premier and the MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs (DESTEA), Limakatso Mahasa, indicated to the Presiding Judge when arguments were presented in opposition of Mr Dukwana’s application, that Mr Dukwana may take possession of the documents attached by the Sheriff despite having received legal advice that Mr Dukwana’s application was bad in law.
Mr Dukwana was also provided with copies of the documents, which the Sheriff initially attached, copies of some documents mentioned in the Court Order which were obtained subsequent to the execution of the provisional order as well as copies of e-mails indicating the efforts of the Department of DESTEA to obtain the relevant cellphone records of Mr Dukwana from the service provider.
These documents were handed to Mr Dukwana personally on 15 March 2019. This was done despite the fact that judgment in Mr Dukwana’s application has not been delivered as yet.
It was in any event already explained under oath during the opposition of Mr Dukwana’s application that, despite diligent searches, some of the documents could not be found.
As directed by the Chairperson, the Director-General of the Free State Provincial Government, Kopung Ralikontsane, will meet with the representatives as designated by the Chairperson at the earliest possible opportunity in order to try and resolve the outstanding issues.
“The Free State Provincial Government reiterates its absolute commitment to co- operate with the Zondo Commission in respect of anything whatsoever that is required by the Commission and, as directed by the Chairperson”, said Director- General Ralikontsane.
