High Court dismisses Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki's bid to recuse Justice Sisi Khampepe

• Former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki failed in their attempt to remove retired judge Sisi Khamepepe from the TRC inquiry
• The South Gauteng High Court dismissed their applications to compel Khampepe to recuse herself after allegations levelled against her
• Khampepe refused to recuse herself despite a request from President Cyril Ramaphosa

With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, commissions of inquiry, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG— The South Johannesburg High Court dismissed former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki's attempts to get retired judge Sisi Khampepe to recuse herself as the chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

According to The Citizen, Acting Deputy Judge President of the High Court Judge Thifhelimbilu Phanuel Mudau ruled on 30 March 2026 that the application was dismissed. He also dismissed their application for punitive and personal costs against the retired judge.

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Zuma and Mbeki's attempts to remove Khampepe

The former presidents bought appeal applications before Khampepe in January. They accused her of bias in the commission investigating claims of political interference and coordinated efforts to block the prosecution of cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority by the TRC.

Khampepe ruled that the applications came after unreasonable delays and remarked that Mbek would not have brought the application had Zuma not done so. Zuma accused Khampepe of bias after the findings made by the Constitutional Court led to his arrest in 2021.

Following the dismissal of the applications, Zuma submitted a supplementary affidavit to legally compel President Cyril Ramaphosa to act and remove her as the TRC Commission's chairperson. He argued that Khampepe was biased because of her historical involvement with the NPA and the TRC. The application is one of several attempts to force Khampepe to be recused.

South Africans debate

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Netizens shared different perspectives and assumed polar-opposite positions on the debate.

Those who support Khampepe

Mpanza Sakhile said:

"Zuma and Mbeki are using the court to delay this TRC inquiry."

Nkanyiso Somadoda remarked:

"Great decision. Presidents Mbeki and Zuma were being unnecessarily difficult with their appeal."

Jabulani Tax Practitioner Malindi said:

"Important ruling. At least now the inquiry can move forward without more delays."

Disco joked:

"Losing court cases is a normal thing for a former president."

Those opposing Khampepe

Gubevu Maduna said:

"I once said there's no court that would rule against a commission."

Xolani Mamkeli said:

"The High Court judge there made an error of judgment."

Thabo Rehlamfu observed:

"I'm starting to believe Mbeki and Zuma. That judge refuses to recuse herself. She is clearly interested in something."

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Source: Briefly News