Jacob Zuma’s closest ally and longtime friend Arthur Fraser claims to have sensitive information that could expose acting chief justice Raymond Zondo.
What does Arthur Fraser know about Zondo?
In a letter sent to the judicial services commission’s shortlisting panel, Fraser pleaded for Zondo to be removed from the list of nominees in line to succeed Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.
Fraser claims Zondo, who holds the position in an acting capacity, is not fit for the role. The former State Security Agency (SSA) boss accused the chairperson of the State Capture Inquiry (SCI) of applying bias in his handling of 10 witness testimonies that were lodged against him.
“Despite my repeated requests to be given an opportunity to appear before him in order to state my version and to defend myself against a well-orchestrated narrative and propaganda against me, Deputy Chief Justice Zondo made sure that I neither presented my version nor got an opportunity to cross-examine those he called to testify against me,” he wrote.
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The corrections boss claims he made numerous attempts to get an opportunity to be cross-examined but, at every turn, he was allegedly left frustrated by more red tape. This constant refusal, in Fraser’s view, was a deliberate attempt by Zondo to protect “those I would have exposed to be the real culprits in capturing or attempting to recapture the State.”
“I have further reason to believe that this deliberate conduct sought to protect the real origins of the idea of the Commission as a foreign sponsored concept,” he said.
Who are the real state captors?
The corrections head, who was instrumental in Zuma’s unsanctioned medical parole, further claimed Zondo’s refusal to allow him an opportunity on the hot seat was done to “protect the role of old apartheid security intelligence networks in capturing the post-apartheid state.”
Fraser may never get the audience he wished for, to divulge the sensitive information he claims to have on the ‘real’ state captors, but his letter may have an influence in the decision the judicial services commission has to make in electing a leader of the highest court on the land.
The final eight candidates in line for the Chief Justice role are;
- Judge President John Hlophe
- Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga
- Justice Mandisa Maya
- Dr Wallace Amos Mgoqi
- Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane
- Judge President Dunstan Mlambo
- Adv. Alan Nelson, SC
- Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo
