The interview of Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo for Chief Justice has created quite a stir.
From a scream battle between the minister of justice and Julius Malema to Zondo now facing a formal complaint from the EFF, there has been a lot of drama.
The EFF says it’s preparing a complaint against Zonndo for his “unethical actions” disclosed during his Friday interview.
Is Raymond Zondo in hot water as a result of his interview?
It all started when Zondo revealed that he had received a letter from Lamola (in his role as Justice Minister) to enquire about Judge Presidents getting an opportunity to act on the Constitutional Court.
Lamola had asked Zondo whether he could consider giving Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo an opportunity to act on the court.
Mlambo is also one of the four remaining candidates for Chief Justice.
Zondo says he told Lamola that he could not, as he had already confirmed the acting placements for the court’s next term.
Malema asked Zondo if it was the norm for the Justice Minister to make recommendations about who should act on what court.
Zondo revealed that it wasn’t. And Malema swooped in. He ended up getting into a screaming match with Ronald Lamola.
The other issue that has got the EFF so flustered, though? Zondo revealing that he had met with former president Jacob Zuma in 2009.
Why? Zondo was concerned about Malema’s public statements that he would “kill” for Zuma.
Zondo also explained that he had met with Zuma one other time at a hotel years prior, but could not remember what it was about.
The EFF leader then lashed out. Accusing Zondo of being too involved in politics.
“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 litigate 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.”
Julius Malema dueing the JSC interview of Zondo on Friday
What will come of the complaint?
The Judicial Service Commission is meeting on Saturday to decide on a candidate to recommend to President Cyril Ramaphosa for the top judicial job.
The EFF says it’ll file the complaint against Raymond Zondo with the Judicial Service Commission, for referral to the Judicial Conduct Committee.
The EFF says the communication between Lamola and Zondo was “unethical”.
The party is suggesting that Lamola sought to influence the appointment of an acting judge for the Constitutional Court, in favour of Judge Dunstan Mlambo.
Lamola has since released a statement in his capacity as Justice Minister, highlighting the part of the Constitution that allows him to make recommendations for acting judge positions.
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