FORMER President Jacob Zuma has demanded that President Cyril Ramaphosa reverse his decision to appoint Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
In a letter sent to Ramaphosa on Thursday, 4 May, Zuma raised many issues that he said should have disqualified Zondo.
Among them is that Zondo was dishonest during interviews about private meetings he had with Zuma before he was appointed a judge and was ranked last by the Judicial Services Commission (JSC).
Another issue he raised is that the Chief Justice refused to recuse himself as the chairman of State Capture.
“For all reasons mentioned above, which are by no means exhaustive, our client has instructed us to demand, as we hereby do, that you reverse your illegal decision(s) to appoint Judge Zondo as Chief Justice and to ignore or overlook the recommendations of the JSC,” his lawyers Ntanga Nkuhlu Attorneys said.
ALSO READ | Varsity workers kidnapped, tortured!
Zuma said Ramaphosa violated his constitutional obligation when he ignored JSC’s recommendations which “correctly” ranked Zondo last after deliberations.
“Secondly, we are instructed to demand, as we hereby do, that you furnish our clients with the reasons which led to your aforesaid ostensibly irrational decision(s) and/or conduct and to do so by the date referred to in the preceding paragraph,” read the letter.
Zuma alleged that the President overlooked Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya for the position though she was the most suitable candidate.
He said the decision defied the requirements of gender transformation as prescribed in the Constitution. Zondo was appointed in April last year.
Zondo has since made adverse findings against the former stateman in his State Capture Report handed to the Presidency last year.
Ramaphosa has until 11 May to respond. Zuma said failure to comply with the demands would result in legal proceedings against the President.
