General Grilled on Confidential Ramaphosa Files at Commission Hearing

General Cona Grilled Over Confidential Documents

• 💡 General Cona faced intense questioning at a commission hearing regarding highly confidential documents about President Ramaphosa.
• 🎯 These documents were reportedly sent to his phone simultaneously by another individual while they were together in a meeting.
• 🔑 The General's primary defense was that he never opened, discussed, or inquired about the contents of these files.

Commissioners' Skepticism

• ⚖️ Commissioners deemed General Cona's explanation "totally improbable" and "unbelievable", implying he was either concealing information or aware of the documents' nature.
• ⚠️ They highlighted that one document was explicitly marked "strictly confidential" and pertained to the President's identity.
• 💬 The commission suggested his denial of reading and silence about the documents stemmed from his realization that he "definitely ought to have done something" about such sensitive information.

Unaddressed Evidence and Disputed Receipt

• 📝 General Cona's official statement to the commission did not mention these specific documents, which he attributed to not having read them or receiving complete evidence files.
• 🗓️ A significant point of contention arose regarding the timing of evidence receipt, with the commission asserting he had all necessary documents, including annexures, well in advance of his statement.
• 🔍 The General claimed some evidence files he received were "fiddled with" or heavily redacted, preventing him from seeing full details, a claim the commission found disingenuous.

Questionable Recollection and Honesty

• 🗣️ Further questioning revealed General Cona's poor recollection of details surrounding a postponed meeting and a third party involved.
• 🚫 Commissioners accused him of "not being honest" when he claimed not to know who a sender was referring to in a message, suggesting he was deliberately withholding facts.
• 🚩 The commission expressed worry and dissatisfaction with his answers, noting he had ample time to prepare for the hearing.