Former President Jacob Zuma Petitions Court to Review Zondo's Appointment as Chief Justice

Jacob Zuma, former South African president and his Jacob Zuma Foundation have petitioned the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to review and potentially reverse the appointment of Judge Raymond Zondo as the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. This objection comes on the back of previously raised concerns during Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interviews about Judge Zondo's integrity and honesty.

In May, Zuma and his foundation had initially challenged the appointment, putting forward a formal request to President Ramaphosa to reconsider his decision. This challenge came to light following a formal letter issued by Ntanga Nkuhlu, attorneys representing the Zuma Foundation. In this letter, it was expressed that Zondo was "clearly untruthful and dishonest" about private meetings held with Zuma.

On 26th September, Zuma backed by his foundation launched an application against President Ramaphosa in the North Gauteng High Court. This application sought to declare the president's decision to appointed Zondo as unconstitutional. The Jacob Zuma Foundation in a statement revealed that both Ramaphosa and the JSC have expressed their opposition to this application but are willing to abide by the court's decision.

Mzwanele Manyi, the Foundation's spokesperson highlighted that the next logical step would be an open provision of the record of proceedings and deliberations regarding JSC's recommendations and Ramaphosa’s decision. According to Manyi, available public evidence suggests that despite Zondo scoring fewer votes from the JSC, Ramaphosa irrationally appointed him over a woman candidate, Judge Mandisa Maya, who had received the highest votes.

Manyi emphasizes the anticipated legal justification from President Ramaphosa, echoing suspicions of Zondo being unduly rewarded for absolving Ramaphosa from his role in the BOSASA/CR 17 scandal, among others, in the so-called State Capture Commission Report.