Corruption probes against Zuma should continue - report

The third part of South Africa's Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo’s investigation into widescale corruption has recommended that former President Jacob Zuma should be investigated further.

Zuma and other senior officials should be investigated for corruption relating to their dealings with Bosasa, a firm that was repeatedly awarded government contracts, according to the Zondo commission report.

It found that Zuma likely breached his obligations as president under the constitution when he accepted gifts from the company, in the form of lavish parties.

"Corruption was central to Bosasa's business model" Judge Zondo states, adding "everything for the company came down to corruption”.

The company was found to have regularly bribed government officials and some members of the governing African National Congress in exchange for business contracts within a number of state entities.

Further recommendations included that current Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe and senior African National Congress politicians Nomvula Mokonyane and Thabang Makwetla be investigated for unduly benefitting from Bosasa.

The report comes after a four-year investigation into allegations of grand corruption between the government and private sector during Zuma’s term in office.

Zuma refused to give further evidence at the commission, leading Judge Zondo to find that he willingly turned down the opportunity to present a defence for the allegations made against him at the commission.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP