On Wednesday, South Africa’s Chief Justice Raymond Zondo ended his 27-year judicial career with a ruling in favour of a soldier, closing a distinguished chapter on the Bench, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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His final sitting involved a soldier who waged a 13-year battle against the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), in which he handed down a unanimous judgement confirming the soldier’s continued service and awarded him outstanding pay with costs.
The court was packed with attendees, Daily Maverick reports, including the Full Bench, former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke and former colleagues including Johann Kriegler, Edwin Cameron and Zak Yacoob, and former president Thabo Mbeki with his wife, Zanele Mbeki.
In addition, Justice Minister Thembi Simelane, her deputy, Andries Nel, the national director of public prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, the Speaker of Parliament, Thoko Didiza, and Archbishop Thabo Makgoba also attended.
Zondo will be replaced by Judge Mandisa Maya, who noted that his tenure at the Constitutional Court since 2012 developed constitutional jurisprudence and strengthened the rule of law.
Over the years, Zondo handed down more than 200 judgements.
‘He had elevated more women to the Bench and [overseen the] elevation of women to leadership positions, including me,’ she said.
Maya also acknowledged his contribution to promoting women to serve as acting judges and to become judges, underscoring his work in rebuilding the Aspirant Women Judges programme launched by former Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla.
‘He is one of the first judge presidents to make a real effort to bring women to the judiciary. [These women] have greatly benefited from his consistent, generous support.’
‘Your departure will leave a profound void in the judiciary. We will miss you. [Now] you go home to your wife and children who so generously shared you with the nation.’
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Myron Dewrance from Advocates for Transformation said that Zondo’s life is a powerful example of what can be achieved.
Zondo’s father was a migrant worker and his mother worked as a domestic servant. Born in Ixopo, KZN, Zondo went to a seminary and then studied at the University of Zululand. He completed his articles under Victoria Mxenge, the anti-apartheid lawyer who was murdered by apartheid forces.
During his interview with the Judicial Service Commission, Zondo became emotional as he recalled worrying about his mother’s well-being after he finished school and earned a place at university.
To help her, he approached a trader named Solly Bux, who gave Zondo’s mother a monthly grocery voucher. When Zondo later returned to repay the loan, Bux told him to pay it forward. Today, the Bux and Zondo families continue their philanthropic work through a shared foundation.
Today, Zondo is best known for his three-and-a-half-year tenure as the chair of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. During that time, he faced attacks from politicians worried about his findings.
While it is uncertain of the commission’s impact on corruption, Zondo’s steady leadership is recognised both locally and internationally.
‘As I leave the judiciary it is my wish that the judiciary never deviates,’ he said. ‘Being a judge is not a position from which you seek to be popular; to be praised in the media for their judgments. Their judgments are made in the shadow of the Constitution and made without fear, favour or prejudice.’
‘When people appear before us, no matter how unpopular they are out there, they must be treated with respect and courtesy and get a fair hearing.’
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