Zuma keeps up threats to Zondo

TALKS OF JSC: WARNS OF POSSIBLE COMPLAINT

‘Such conduct, if established, is an impeachable offence’ – ex-president.

Jacob Zuma and Chief Justice Raymond Zondo’s legal duel is continuing, with the former president writing to Zondo threatening him with legal action.

This comes after the Constitutional Court turned down his private prosecution appeal recently.

Zuma was dealt another blow last month after the apex court unanimously dismissed his private prosecution bid against senior state prosecutor advocate Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan.

The ConCourt order means that the former president could not pursue his private prosecution bid against the duo pending his appeal process against the initial order by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).

The SCA’s scathing assessment of Zuma’s “hopeless” private prosecution bid found his appeal to be a continuation of his Stalingrad strategy to avoid his corruption trial.

In the letter, Zuma wants Zondo to clarify if there was any role played by retired Judge Zak Yacoob and another judge roped in to help the apex court. If they played any role, he wants to know to what extent.

“In making the appointments, were you aware of the controversial political statements and general insults previously uttered by retired judge Yacoob which do not befit any person involved in the fair and impartial adjudication of disputes?

“If so, what considerations induced you to nevertheless appoint him,” Zuma asked in the letter.

Zuma has threatened Zondo with legal action and to lay a complaint of misconduct with the Judicial Service Commission if he does not get the information by 10am by next Wednesday.

“Your conduct is at best similar and at worst, far more serious than that for which the National Assembly recently voted for the removal of Judge President Mandlakayise Hlophe for alleged undue interference in the judicial decisions of duly appointed members of the judiciary by a person who is not a member of the relevant court, Zuma wrote.

“At face value such conduct, if established, amounts to an impeachable offence on your part.”

In November 2023, Zuma’s private prosecution of Downer and Maughan was postponed to 9 April.

Zuma is charging them with what he has deemed is the unlawful leaking of his confidential doctor’s letter. He is also seeking the removal of Downer from his arms deal fraud and corruption trial.

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