Recusal refusal: Furious Zuma lawyers ‘lodge complaint’ against Zondo
It has all kicked off this morning: DCJ Raymond Zondo rejected Jacob Zuma’s recusal application on Thursday, and Msholozi will now face a line of questioning at the State Capture Inquiry – three days after he first returned to the Commission. However, there are some very unhappy campers to report.
Zuma lawyers to lodge a complaint against Zondo
Musi Sikhakhane is leading the arguments made by Zuma’s team. He was dismayed with Zondo’s verdict, slamming the chair of the Commission for ‘judging a case that involves himself. He also revealed that he would report the DCJ to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for the way he has presided over the recusal bid:
“Before we excuse ourselves momentarily, we will review the judgment you have just made. Perhaps I didn’t say this enough, but you have become a judge in a case that involves yourself. We have been instructed to lodge a complaint about you with the Judicial Service Committee. We will not make any further submissions at this time.”
Musi Sikhakhane
Adv Sikhakhane has indicated that they will excuse themselves from proceedings, will review the ruling and – THIS IS BIG – lodge a complaint against Justice Zondo with the JSC for wrongly, in their view, being both effectively a witness and judge on a matter involving himself.
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) November 19, 2020
State Capture Inquiry on Thursday 19 November
In response, Advocate Paul Pretorius – representing the State Capture Inquiry – shared his shock over Sikhakhane’s reaction, and subsequent request to be excused. Although Zondo called for the first adjournment of the morning, Pretorius was concerned by his opposite number’s ‘attempts to control’ the order of the day.
“We already have a prepared argument to respond to the review of your verdict. We believe that proceedings have to continue on Thursday. They cannot excuse themselves from proceedings, and the applicant would be acting in defiance of the summons. This is unlawful behaviour. Only you, DCJ Zondo, can make this decision.”
Paul Pretorius