国际英语新闻:Legal clash at state capture inquiry prompts Zuma's testimony postponed in S. Africa

JOHANNESBURG, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Proceedings at the state capture inquiry have been adjourned until Friday following disagreements between South African former President Jacob Zuma's legal team and the commission's legal representatives.

Wednesday's hearings were postponed after Zuma's advocate Muzi Sikhakhane raised objections over how his client was being questioned.

"I have a view that my client was brought here under false pretenses. It's clear, it's been confirmed he is being cross examined," Sikhakhane told the inquiry before it was adjourned.

The commission's evidence leader and head of legal team Paul Pretorius accused Zuma's legal team of wanting to "control how the commission is conducting its job."

The commission's chairperson, deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo, said both legal teams would meet on Thursday to find a way forward before resuming on Friday.

"We are therefore going to adjourn the proceedings until Friday, I am confident that there are reasonable prospects that a way forward would be found," Zondo said.

A total of eight witnesses who have testified at the commission have implicated Zuma into allegations of corruption and nepotism.

Former Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Horgan accused Zuma of interfering into her work when she was the minister. She also said that Zuma preferred Siyabonga Gama to be appointed as the state owned entity Transnet CEO even though there was a better candidate.

Zuma said he couldn't remember some of the questions he was being asked today.

The hearings of the judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of state capture, corruption and fraud in the public sector including organs of state was set up in 2018. At the center of the inquiry is the infamous Gupta family which has been accused of influencing cabinet appointments under Zuma's administration.