Two ex-presidents try to boot a judge from an apartheid probe. Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki filed separate legal bids to remove Justice Sisi Khampepe. She chairs the commission investigating stalled prosecutions of apartheid era crimes. Both men claim she cannot be impartial due to past roles.
Zuma argues she holds personal bias from a case that jailed him. His foundation says he will not participate unless she steps down. Mbeki cites a conflict of interest from her old prosecutorial job during the TRC era. His application includes four former cabinet ministers from his administration.
They also accuse Khampepe of procedural misconduct in a related recusal matter. A commission spokesperson dismissed the applications as not concerning. He stated that President Ramaphosa appointed her, knowing her full background. The judge herself will rule on these recusal requests.
Oral arguments for both applications are set for mid January. This could delay the inquiry's planned start later that month. The probe examines political interference that blocked recommended prosecutions. It resulted from a lawsuit by victims' families seeking major damages.
The inquiry must submit its final report around the middle of this year. High-profile figures like these former presidents may face questioning. Their legal moves highlight deep tensions around addressing historical crimes. The situation tests public trust in this reconciliation process.
Zuma argues she holds personal bias from a case that jailed him. His foundation says he will not participate unless she steps down. Mbeki cites a conflict of interest from her old prosecutorial job during the TRC era. His application includes four former cabinet ministers from his administration.
They also accuse Khampepe of procedural misconduct in a related recusal matter. A commission spokesperson dismissed the applications as not concerning. He stated that President Ramaphosa appointed her, knowing her full background. The judge herself will rule on these recusal requests.
Oral arguments for both applications are set for mid January. This could delay the inquiry's planned start later that month. The probe examines political interference that blocked recommended prosecutions. It resulted from a lawsuit by victims' families seeking major damages.
The inquiry must submit its final report around the middle of this year. High-profile figures like these former presidents may face questioning. Their legal moves highlight deep tensions around addressing historical crimes. The situation tests public trust in this reconciliation process.
