Portrait of Jacob Zuma
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Jacob Zuma on Thabo Mbeki

Legal adversary (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki are currently aligned in challenging the legitimacy of a judicial inquiry into TRC delays.

Key Points

  • Both Mbeki and Zuma sought the removal of retired Justice Sisi Khampepe as head of the inquiry into TRC prosecution delays.

  • The former president Zuma released the Arms Procurement Report in April 2016, which included evidence from Mbeki and his former cabinet ministers.

  • The historical dynamic between the two leaders is sometimes framed as that of 'The Lion and the Jewel' in political analysis.

Summary

Jacob Zuma and his predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, have recently demonstrated a unified legal front by challenging the legitimacy of the Khampepe inquiry into delays in Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) prosecutions. Both former presidents approached the Gauteng Division of the High Court to have retired Constitutional Court judge Sisi Khampepe removed as the inquiry's head, arguing her past roles within the TRC and National Prosecuting Authority rendered her incapable of impartiality. Mbeki specifically sought a declaration that all acts by the commission involving Khampepe were a nullity, a move described by commission legal teams as an abuse of court process designed to evade accountability.

The relationship between the two leaders has been historically complex, marked by succession struggles and policy divergence, yet this legal challenge signifies a convergence against perceived judicial overreach concerning accountability for apartheid-era actions. The commission's defense cited a temporal boundary, arguing Khampepe’s past roles ended before the inquiry's scope began, suggesting Mbeki and Zuma are using litigation to hinder the efficient execution of the commission's mandate. Zuma also introduced more conspiratorial claims regarding alleged coaching by the chairperson, which were dismissed as slanderous.

Key Quotes

I have been a member of the ANC for 52 years. There is absolutely nothing I have done through this half-a-century of struggle of which I am ashamed. Above all, I know of nothing I have done which, to my knowledge, constitutes a betrayal of the interests of the masses of our people and their confidence in the ANC.

While Tambo was a great thinker, he was very simple. There is nothing he did not do... When people came to him he attended to them. He would even attend to somebody who comes to raise the issue of the shoe that doesn't have shoelaces, he would ensure that the shoelaces were found... I am not a great man. I am a man of the people. I believe in people and I think that the people are everything. Once there is disconnection with the people you have problems.

The key witnesses included Former President Thabo Mbeki and former Ministers of his Cabinet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki are currently aligned as legal adversaries to Justice Khampepe’s inquiry into TRC prosecution delays. They have jointly mounted a legal challenge against the commission's chairperson, arguing for her recusal. This shows a rare, temporary alignment between the two former presidents on a matter of judicial accountability.

Yes, Jacob Zuma's position has evolved from being a political rival during his ascent to the presidency to currently joining Mbeki in legal action. While their political careers were defined by rivalry, they are now united in this specific legal confrontation against a judicial commission.

They both gave evidence before the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of Fraud, Corruption, Impropriety or Irregularity in the Strategic Defence Procurement Package. This inquiry, whose report was released by Zuma in 2016, examined events that occurred during Mbeki's tenure.