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The court’s vice president, Raymond Zondo, dismissed former President Jacob Zuma’s request for his disqualification from the state’s arrest investigation.
FILE: Vice President of the Supreme Court Zondo during the first public hearing on allegations of state capture in Johannesburg on August 20, 2018. Image: AFP
JOHANNESBURG – Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo has dismissed former President Jacob Zuma’s request for his challenge from the state capture investigation.
In issuing his ruling on the matter Thursday morning, Zondo said there was no reason to support Zuma’s claims that the two men were friends.
“In light of the fact that the applicant does not dispute most of the facts set forth in paragraph 7 of my statement, I am of the opinion that, of the indisputable facts, the type of relationship between the applicant and me did not exist as it would disqualify me to chair this commission nor is it an adequate reason for me to recuse myself. “
Zuma had filed a request for Zondo to step aside, claiming that he had already decided that the former president was guilty.
Zondo took the commission through the historical context of the investigation, explaining how it was created and by whom, based on the findings of the Public Protector report.
He also detailed the process to get Zuma to appear before the commission so far.
Zondo said there was no merit in Zuma’s claims that the commission has been biased against him based on comments made by Zondo during some of the witness evidence that had implicated the former president in the state capture.
“I have no difficulty seeking clarification from witnesses and proving their evidence. The important thing is to find the right balance. I think that balance has been correctly struck with respect to most, if not all, of the comments the complainant is complaining about. applicant “.
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