JOHANNESBURG, August (ANA) - Suspended head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation's (known as the Hawks) Anti-Corruption Unit, Major General Zinhle Mnonopi, on Thursday withdrew her application to cross-examine former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas at the state capture commission of inquiry.
Mnonopi's legal representative Vincent Sewela told commission chairman Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo that only the Hawks' advocate Mandla Mtolo, implicated in the former member of Parliament (MP) Vytjie Mentor's evidence, wanted to cross-examine Jonas.
Zondo told Sewela to remind Mnonopi that she could be called to give evidence at any time.
"I hope she appreciates that this [withdrawal of application] doesn't mean that she might not be called upon to come to give evidence, should I consider that she be called upon in terms of the regulations...I hope she knows that."
Sewela told the inquiry that Mtolo was in possession of recordings of his meetings with Mentor.
According to Jonas' testimony detailing an offer to become finance minister by Ajay Gupta and a R600 million bribe, Mnonopi insisted that the case be quashed as it was a "[Democratic Alliance] DA matter".
He told the inquiry that Mnonopi wanted him to sign a false statement purporting that Jonas did not have the evidence, did not open a case with the police, and was not prepared to do so in future.
Jonas said this was all done in the presence of his lawyer, Max Boqwana. He said he refused to sign the letter and later sent the Hawks a legal statement on the details of his complaint against the Guptas.
The Hawks Godfrey Lebeya suspended Mnonopi following Jonas' damning evidence.
- African News Agency (ANA)
