Ramaphosa will not reverse Zondo’s appointment, JZ Foundation told

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he will not accede to former president Jacob Zuma’s demands to withdraw the appointment of Raymond Zondo as Chief Justice.

The Jacob Zuma Foundation on Thursday said it was challenging the appointment of Zondo, citing a number of issues on his appointment.

Ramaphosa appointed Zondo in March last year following consultations with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of parties in the National Assembly.

Demands

In a letter, Ntanga Nkuhlu Attorneys for the JZ Foundation said during the JSC interviews one of the pertinent issues raised was Zondo’s “untruthful” account of meetings privately held with the former president.

The foundation demands that Ramaphosa reverses Zondo’s appointment. It also accused the president of ignoring the recommendations of the JSC.

ALSO READ: Zuma Foundation demands Ramaphosa removes Zondo as Chief Justice

Zondo stays

But Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told The Citizen, the president will not reverse the appointment.

“We view this latest missive from Mr Zuma as another element of his broader harassment campaign aimed at the president. Beneath Mr Zuma’s guise of a self-proclaimed and righteous guardian of our constitutional democracy is a contemptuous denial of President Ramaphosa’s leadership of the governing party and the country.

Democratic processes

Magwenya said Zuma does not respect “democratic processes.”

“Mr Zuma continues to demonstrate his scornful attitude towards democratic processes that do not pander to his desires and whims. His derision towards the country’s democratic institutions and legal processes continue unabated and know no boundaries. The president will not waste any of his time considering such illogical demands. Mr Zuma can continue with another frivolous court action if he so desires.”

Magwenya said the former president should approach the JSC if he has a complaint against Zondo.

“The JSC deals with complaints against judges. Mr Zuma can address his complaints directly to the JSC,” said Magwenya.

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