Zuma approaches Constitutional Court in urgent bid to remove Justice Khampepe

Former President Jacob Zuma has launched an urgent application at the Constitutional Court, challenging a High Court ruling that dismissed his bid to remove Judge Sisi Khampepe as Chair of the TRC Cases Inquiry.

Zuma’s previous legal action was dismissed by a majority decision of the full court because he failed to follow due process prior to bringing the application.

Zuma and former President Thabo Mbeki took Khampepe’s refusal to recuse herself as commission chair on review to the Johannesburg High Court.

READ: Mbeki and Zuma lose bid to have Justice Sisi Khampepe recused from TRC hearings

The two former leaders failed to have Judge Khampepe removed, arguing she is biased because of her previous roles in the TRC Commission and as Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions.

Both are expected to appear before the commission to provide clarity on their roles in delaying the prosecution of TRC cases.

In his petition to the Constitutional Court, Zuma is relying on a minority judgment to argue that the matter is inherently and extremely urgent, requesting direct access to the apex court. He argues the urgency is compounded by the TRC Cases Inquiry’s mandate, which is set to expire in May.

Zuma further claims that within hours of losing the High Court case, the TRC Commission issued compliance directives demanding action by 24 April.

This timeline, he argues, raises the spectre of contempt proceedings should he fail to comply. Zuma’s lawyer maintains that a Constitutional Court hearing would prevent further legal escalation and bring necessary clarity to the matter.