TRC Commission: Ramaphosa concerned about Justice Khampepe's impartiality

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is concerned about whether Judge Sisi Khampepe can fairly and objectively deal with matters before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases inquiry. 

He said this is because of her previous involvement in the TRC commission and her time at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). 

Advocate Timothy Bruinders SC, representing Ramaphosa, told the high court hearing a review application to remove Khampepe as chair, that these concerns are serious. 

Former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma have also asked the court to set aside Khampepe's decision not to recuse herself. 

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"It is not reasonable for the former presidents, certainly for me, Mbeki, Mabandla and Mr Kasrils, to suspect the chair of this commission will bring to the inquiry a fair mind to this investigation." 

Bruinders further said Khampepe’s past roles have the potential to damage the commission’s reputation and undermine public trust in the process. 

"In most cases, judges disqualify themselves they say I don’t even want to get in to a debate about the precise nature of my involvement, leave me out of it and give me another case."