“The Jacob Zuma Foundation’s claims are baseless,” says political analyst

Political analyst, Dr Sam Koma, has rejected as baseless Jacob Zuma Foundation’s claims that President Cyril Ramaphosa breached the equality clause in the Constitution by overlooking deputy Chief Justice, Mandisa Maya, for the position of Chief Justice.

Dr Koma says Section 174 of the Constitution states that an appropriately qualified woman or man who is fit and proper person may be appointed as a Chief Justice and the candidates forwarded to the President met this criteria.

However, the Zuma Foundation alleges that, according to publicly available evidence, Zondo scored the lowest number of votes from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following the week-long interviews.

Ramaphosa ignored the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission when he appointed Zondo in April last year, after it had recommended Judge Maya as the preferred candidate for the post.

In a statement, the former president’s foundation states that when Ramaphosa appears before the high court in Pretoria – he will be called upon to dispel the allegations or suspicions that Zondo was being unduly rewarded for absolving Ramaphosa for his role in the BOSASA/CR 17 scandal, among other things, in the so-called State Capture Commission Report.

It adds that the President will also have to explain why he overlooked a woman candidate when she had, in any event, received the highest votes.

“Such conduct is in breach of the equality clause (Section 9 of the Constitution) and Section 174(2) of the Constitution both of which prohibit gender discrimination,” says the foundation.

Earlier this year, Zuma approached the court to have Chief Justice Raymond Zondo’s appointment reversed.

Ramaphosa has now filed a notice to oppose Zuma’s application.

Dr Koma says the President exercised his prerogative in this regard.

President Ramaphosa speaks highly about women transformative development on podium of genda base violation yet he failed to be upright when JSC voted 19 for Justice Maya
7 for Judge Mlambo
5 for Chief Justice Zondo.

We support Jacob Zuma’s Foundation’s arguments on the matter. pic.twitter.com/xlwazWuT6P

— TRUTH & LIBERATION OF MANKIND (@sompetav) October 4, 2023

“The State Capture report is a classic case of the fruits of a poisonous tree”
Jacob Zuma Foundation

“Chief Justice Zondo is unworthy of being called a judge”
Mzwanele Manyi pic.twitter.com/zjogYusN4T

— News Live SA (@newslivesa) June 25, 2022