Faizel Patel – 19/11/2020
Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has dismissed former President Jacob Zuma’s application for his recusal from the state capture inquiry.
Zondo made the decision on Thursday following a few postponements.
Zondo says Zuma’s argument has no merit and that he had failed to meet the test for the reasonable apprehension of bias as he claimed in his arguments.
“In light of the fact that the applicant does not dispute most of the facts set out in paragraph 7 of my statement, I’m of the opinion that of the undisputed facts, there was not the kind of relationship between myself and the applicant such as would disqualify me from chairing this commission nor is it a proper ground for me to recuse myself.”
Zuma accused Zondo of favouring witnesses who support the narrative that the former president was responsible for state capture during his tenure as president of South Africa.
Following the ruling by Zondo, Zuma’s advocate Muzi Sikhakhane say they will excuse themselves from the proceedings.
The deputy chief justice will now have to decide if evidence must continue, failing which if Zuma leaves he will be held in contempt.
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