Karyn Maughan | To fight or not? Presidency's response to Zondo inquiry challenges may define impact

In the same week, the Zondo Commission was hit with legal challenges from Gupta associate Salim Essa and Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe. And, Karyn Maughan writes, it will largely be up to the Presidency to decide if these cases are defended.

Three years ago, Corruption Watch challenged the findings of the R137-million Seriti Commission, initiated by then-president Jacob Zuma, which found that there was no evidence of corruption in the multibillion-rand arms deal.

That court action was not opposed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose advocate Naseer Cassim SC agreed with Corruption Watch that the commission had failed to properly investigate evidence of serious graft in the deal, in relation to which Zuma is now facing prosecution.