Outgoing Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has been commended for his work at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) commended transformation of the judiciary to ensure full representativity under his watch.

After 27 years on the Bench, Zondo is retiring. His term of office ends on August 31, after which his successor, Justice Mandisa Maya will take over the role.

Zondo was appointed as a Justice to the Constitutional Court in 2012, in 2017 the Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, and in 2018 he led the State Capture Commission. In 2022, he was appointed Chief Justice of South Africa.

The DA wished him farewell, saying the exemplary work he had done as the chairperson of the Zondo Commission would have a lasting impact in restoring the dignity of the country.

DA spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development Glynnis Breytenbach said under the leadership of Zondo key programmes were implemented to successfully transform the judiciary to ensure full representativity.

“Not only has he done effective work in management of the judiciary, but he has also contributed substantially to the development of jurisprudence in South Africa,” noted Breytenbach.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Thembi Simelane said the work of the Zondo Commission remained integral to government’s efforts to rebuild the country in the wake of “one of the most shameful periods in democratic history”.

The Zondo Commission was an affirmation of the constitutional order, the rule of law and the strength of institutions, she said.

Simelane noted that the Commission began to restore society’s confidence in its ability to correct mistakes and to hold those responsible for wrongdoing to account.

She described Zondo as a man of wisdom, tempered by experience, and as a man of unwavering principle and integrity, as well as someone of humility and courage.

She added that Zondo served the cause of justice over a long and illustrious career, saying he led the Constitutional Court at an important time in the country’s democracy.

“Through the service he has rendered the nation, through his conduct and his demeanour, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has earned the admiration, respect and gratitude of all South Africans,” said Simelane.

She stated that for undertaking this responsibility of the Commission, Zondo had had to endure a number of personal attacks.

“You have had to defend the integrity of the judiciary and our courts from opportunistic attacks by those with interests inimical to the rule of law. Yet you have stood firm in upholding the independence of the judiciary. You have stood on principle, as you have since your earliest days as a young lawyer,” highlighted Simelane.

She pointed out that history would record that Zondo fulfilled his assigned responsibility with wisdom and diligence, and said he established a standard for probity in public affairs that would serve the country for many years to come.

“Beyond what is contained in the Constitution, beyond what is stated in law, beyond all the regulations and the rules, the Zondo Commission has more clearly defined the ethical underpinnings of the country’s democratic State,” she explained.