Mokonyane moves to review Zondo commission report

ANC bigwig offers rare insight into personal impact of state capture allegations

- By Mawande AmaShabalala and Setumo Stone

Breaking years of silence, ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane has revealed that she has taken the Zondo commission report to court to review its recommendations that she should be charged and criminally prosecuted for corruption.

Mokonyane charged that the report's recommendations were flawed and “pre-determined” and resulted in her prolonged public vilification and negative media coverage against her.

The ANC heavyweight has enlisted the services of advocate Laurence Hodes SC, a lawyer well-versed in politically toxic cases and complex state investigations, to punch holes in the report's recommendations, signalling that she is preparing for an all-out legal warfare. Zondo's report recommended that Mokonyane should be criminally charged and prosecuted for accepting bribes from the now defunct Bosasa, among her other alleged sins.

Speaking candidly in a recent Sunday World Engage interview, Mokonyane articulated the gruelling emotional and professional toll exacted by the state capture allegations against her. “You know, the thing that is unfortunate about the Zondo commission is that conclusions and determinations were predetermined.

“I have never accepted the Zondo report. I have left it for my lawyers; they are dealing with it,” she said.

Mokonyane did not want to divulge her battle strategy, saying that her legal team, steered by Hodes, has advised her against engaging with the media on the review process.