Chief Justice's public remarks raise concerns about impartiality

South Africa's Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has come under fire for his recent public comments, which have been deemed inappropriate and potentially damaging to the judiciary's standing and integrity.

In a comprehensive interview on Newzroom Afrika, Zondo addressed various sensitive topics, including the implementation of the state capture commission's recommendations, judicial misconduct and the impending prosecution of former president Jacob Zuma.

When asked about the possibility of prosecuting Zuma, Zondo asserted that if the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) held sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution, then Zuma should face trial. He emphasised that if the executive branch of government sought to prevent Zuma from serving jail time, it should publicly acknowledge the fulfilment of legal obligations by the NPA and the courts, allowing the executive to handle the matter accordingly.