Zuko Komisa
- The Johannesburg High Court has rejected bids by Zuma and Mbeki to oust Justice Sisi Khampepe from the TRC inquiry.
- The judge upheld Khampepe’s previous rejection of recusal, noting that claims of bias were unsubstantiated and delayed.
- The decision allows the long-stalled inquiry into apartheid-era political interference to finally move forward.
The Johannesburg High Court has dismissed an application by former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki to remove retired Justice Sisi Khampepe as chairperson of the commission investigating political interference in Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases.
The ruling confirms that Khampepe will remain at the helm, effectively rejecting the former leaders’ persistent attempts to have her recused.
Justice Khampepe had previously dismissed the pair’s initial recusal bids in January 2026, citing a lack of credible evidence regarding bias and noting the unreasonable delays in bringing the applications forward.
Despite President Cyril Ramaphosa who originally appointed her having previously voiced concerns over her impartiality and suggesting she step aside, the court’s decision now provides a clear path for the inquiry to resume.
For the families of victims who have waited decades for answers regarding apartheid-era crimes, this ruling is a significant step forward.
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