I’ve made enemies trying to help SA – Zondo

Acting Chief Justice Raymond Mnyamazeli Mlungisi Zondo, the final candidate to be interviewed for the position of the Chief Justice of South Africa yesterday, said he knew chairing the state capture commission would make him a lot of enemies.

Earlier this week, he released the second instalment of his highly anticipated report.

Zondo said there was no hesitancy in undertaking the responsibility as he was – as deputy chief justice – the second in the judiciary and there was no way he could run away from the duty.

“If I’ve made enemies for myself in trying to help the country, then so be it,” he said.

Inkatha Freedom Party’s chief whip, Narend Singh, brought in objections which accused Zondo of being biased against former president Jacob Zuma following the inquiry – but Zondo said he did not think there were any concrete facts to substantiate the accusations of him being pro-Ramaphosa. “I am not pro anyone,” he said.

Zondo said he prepared findings against Zuma because the evidence provided was justified and he would make findings against President Cyril Ramaphosa if there was enough evidence. “If there is enough evidence, findings would be made,” he said. “Evidence needs to justify findings.”

Singh also questioned Zondo about former prison boss Arthur Fraser’s allegations, including that the commission denied his application to be cross-examined. Zondo said Fraser’s documents and evidence were incomplete.

He said Fraser failed to approach the State Security Agency to obtain the documents when told to do so. “Part of the problem with Mr Fraser was he seemed not to want to comply with the processes of the commission,” he said.

Zondo said it remained a mystery why someone who claimed the documents [which, according to Fraser, would show the involvement of judges and past presidents in state capture] were crucial, yet did not pursue them.

Zondo also addressed the importance of the safety of judicial officers, functionality in courts and the issue of court cases taking too long. He told the commission a chief justice should have integrity, provide intellectual leadership and be concerned with the courts by ensuring they functioned properly. “If not, then what are the problems to be solved?”

Zondo emphasised applications and effective judgments can be dealt with expeditiously.

He said there were various threats against judges and whistle-blowers and more work needed to be done to protect whistle-blowers and investigative journalists.

He said he had organised a meeting to discuss the matter.