Zuma, Mbeki deny deliberately delaying TRC inquiry with Khampepe recusal application

Former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki have denied that they are deliberately delaying justice for the families of apartheid era victims with their looming recusal application.

Both former presidents filed papers before the commission of inquiry into the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), applying for the recusal of the commission’s chair, retired justice Sisi Khampepe.

ALSO READ: Mbeki, Zuma to go ahead with objections on appointment of Khampepe as TRC inquiry chair

The commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May to investigate the delays in prosecuting TRC cases.

The TRC commission of inquiry is already months behind in its work, having applied for an extension after it failed to begin hearings in 2025.

It’s been dealing with several parallel applications, including the recusal application for the chief evidence leader, Ishmael Semenya which was dismissed.

Now the participation of Khampepe is being questioned by the former presidents, who are both expected to be witnesses.

In their papers, both formerheads of state argue that Khampepe cannot afford the process the neutrality it deserves, as she was one of the commissioners in the initial TRC in the nineties, and she was deputy director of public prosecutions.

While Khampepe questions the timing of the application, pointing out that both Zuma and Mbeki knew about her appointment in May, they have hit back, saying they were only serviced with a Rule 3.3 notice informing them of their implication months afterwards.

The recusal application will be heard on Friday.