Justice Khampepe Dismisses Mbeki and Zuma's Recusal Applications Amid TRC Inquiry

• Retired Justice Sisi Khampepe dismissed a recusal application from former Presidents Mbeki and Zuma
• The commission is investigating alleged political interference in the TRC cases that requires Mbeki and Zuma to testify
• Khampepe emphasised the urgency of the inquiry amid claims of political obstruction

Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.

The chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases inquiry, retired Justice Sisi Khampepe, has dismissed recusal applications brought by former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.

Claims of political interference

Both former presidents had sought Khampepe’s recusal, alleging bias. The commission is probing claims of political interference and coordinated efforts to block the prosecution of cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority by the TRC. In her ruling, Khampepe said the applications were brought after unreasonable delays and were not supported by adequate explanations. She said the timing suggested that Mbeki would not have pursued the application had Zuma not done so.

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Khampepe also rejected Zuma’s argument that she was biased because of findings made against him by the Constitutional Court, which led to his arrest in 2021. The ruling means both Mbeki and Zuma will be required to testify before Khampepe at the commission of inquiry. She said the time-bound nature of the inquiry required that its work proceed without interruption.

South Africans weigh in

Social media users shared their opinions about the recusal.

Letsoapo Fobo said:

"I'm not satisfied with the reason as the basis for Khampepe to recuse herself. I smell a rat."

Alexander Easson said:

"This is good timing, ANC, diverting attention away from the task at hand. The commission."

Didi Amos said:

"This sounds interesting. I wonder what Judge Kampepe thinks."

Dave Nyamane said:

"This is a Guinness World record for Zuma and Mbeki to agree on one thing."

Masixole Mashelele said:

"So, who's paying for Thabo Mbeki's legal fees?"

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Other stories about Mbeki and Zuma

Thabo Mbeki has sparked a debate with his recent comments about the state of the African National Congress (ANC). The former State president suggested that the party's recent setbacks may not be accidental but instead orchestrated. Mbeki made the comments before the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Liberation War Veterans conference in Bloemfontein.

The African National Congress summoned its former president, Jacob Zuma, to a disciplinary hearing. The ANC suspended Jacob Zuma after he announced his support for the MK Party at its launch in December 2023. Duduzile angrily slammed the ANC in her tweet.

Former President Thabo Mbeki has called on the international community not to turn a blind eye to the conflicts in the Middle East. Mbeki spoke while celebrating his 83rd birthday. He said that what the Americans did was 100% wrong. Mbeki said that the conflict between Iran and Israel, which the United States has entered, must be solved by diplomatic negotiations.

Source: Briefly News