Raymond Zondo says he won’t buckle under political pressure
Chief Justice-elect Raymond Zondo says he feels honoured and privileged to serve as the country’s top judge.
Zondo said it was President Cyril Ramaphosa who broke the news of his new role to him. Zondo was in a hearing when staff informed him that the president had requested to meet.
But due to that hearing, Zondo was delayed. He did, however, manage to make the meeting an hour later, where Ramaphosa broke the news to him.
“My first reaction, I felt the heaviness of the responsibility that comes with this appointment,” said Zondo during a press briefing on Thursday afternoon.
“But, I was happy to be appointed. My mind quickly moved with what lies ahead,” he added.
“I felt honoured to be a judge and being chief justice is a special honour, to serve the people in a special way.”
Zondo said he is also looking forward to working with Judge Mandisa Maya, who is expected to be appointed as deputy chief justice. Maya was recommended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to be the next Chief Justice.
“Judge Maya will play an important role if and when she is appointed,” said Zondo.
State capture vs Chief Justice duties
When asked if he would be able to balance the upcoming reviews of the state capture commission with his duties as Chief Justice, Zondo said he’d been acting in the Chief Justice position while doing the state captures commissions work.
Zondo also confirmed that he is due to complete the state capture report by the end of April, which will also mark his first month since being appointed.
The Chief Justice-elect is confident about being able to work well with members of the judiciary, including his biggest critics.
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