The Constitutional Court has dismissed former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki’s bid to have retired Justice Sisi Khampepe recused from the inquiry probing alleged political interference in apartheid-era Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases.
The Khampepe Commission of Inquiry established to investigate the political suppression of investigations and prosecutions related to TRC cases, welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling that on Monday dismissed former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki’s application to recuse Justice Sisi Khampepe as chairperson of the TRC cases inquiry.
Following the court's decision, spokesperson for the commission, Lionel Adendorf, expressed a measured yet optimistic tone. "We simply welcome the judgement and will now complete all the outstanding work," he noted.
He indicated that this includes calling witnesses, gathering evidence, and seeking critical documents. "Once done, we will start the report-writing process that would enable us to submit a report to the President by December," he added.
The ruling has cleared the way for the inquiry to continue its proceedings, with both former presidents expected to testify on alleged political interference in apartheid-era crimes.
