Photo: EFF / Twitter
JSC interviews: Malema GRILLS Zondo about meeting Zuma
EFF leader Julius Malema said he was concerned about Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo being politically linked
Photo: EFF / Twitter
Proceedings during Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo’s interview for the Chief Justice position became rather tense on Friday, 4 February 2022, especially during his interactions with Julius Malema.
Malema made reference to meetings Zondo had with then ANC president Jacob Zuma in 2008. This was in the wake of comments made by Malema, who at the time was a fierce Zuma ally and was President of the ANC Youth League.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) posed a series of questions from three other candidates vying for the post.
Malema said he was concerned that Zondo might be too involved in politics and questioned whether he brought the judiciary into disrepute when he met with Zuma.
“Because that was a statement made in a political rally and you left and went to meet with President Zuma to discuss my political position as a judge and proceeded to in matters where the organisation I lead … and I looked at you … the organisation I lead came to ligitate against President Zuma and you never indicated to court that you knew President Zuma like that to a point where you can even discuss political issues with him. On two cases you brought before the Constitutional Court, you said there, never declared like everybody declares.”
EFF leader Julius Malema
JSC INTERVIEWS: ZONDO VS MALEMA
In response, Zondo told Julius Malema that he had reached out to Zuma as a private citizen who was concerned and not in his capacity as a jurist. Zondo says he was worried about possible violence resulting from his remarks.
“I indicated that I was concerned about it as a citizen. I was concerned it would end up with violence. I thought he should have spoken to you. He listened to me and I give him credit. He understood but my recollection is that he said he had not spoken to you in public but he hadspoken to you in private. But I was concerned about the possibility of violcence,” says Zondo.
When asked what exactly was discussed with Zuma, Zondo said he couldn’t exactly remember, something which Malema took issue with.
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