Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane, has hailed Chief Justice Raymond Zondo as a beacon of wisdom, forged by experience, unwavering in principle and integrity, and embodying both humility and courage.
Simelane was paying tribute on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa at the farewell dinner of outgoing Chief Justice Zondo in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, on Tuesday night.
Zondo is retiring at the end of August 2024 after a distinguished judicial career spanning 27 years.
Raymond Zondo ‘has served the cause’
During his term, Zondo has been pivotal in advancing the transformation of the judiciary, leading the Labour Appeal Court through significant challenges, and presiding over the State Capture Commission.
“Tonight, we honour a person who possesses all the virtues demanded of a judge as foretold by the ancients. A man of wisdom, tempered by experience. A man of unwavering principle and integrity. A man of humility and courage.
“Chief Justice Zondo has served the cause of justice over a long and illustrious career. He led the Constitutional Court at an important time in our democracy,” the Minister said.
Simelane praised Raymond Zondo for leading the State Capture Commission as the country tried to uphold the rule of law.
“This was a task which he undertook with dignity, with fairness and with integrity. The work of what is now known as the Zondo Commission remains integral to our efforts to rebuild our country in the wake of one of the most shameful periods in our democratic history.
“The Zondo Commission was an affirmation of our constitutional order, the rule of law and the strength of our institutions. The Commission did much more than reveal – in painstaking detail – the extent and nature of state capture,” she said.
The Minister added that the Commission began to restore society’s confidence in its ability to correct mistakes and to hold those responsible for wrongdoing to account.
“History will record that Chief Justice Zondo fulfilled his assigned responsibility with wisdom and diligence. But more than that. History will record that Chief Justice Zondo established a standard for probity in public affairs that will serve our country for many years to come,” the Minister said.
Recommendations
Simelane told the gathering that it was a great honour to pay tribute to a distinguished jurist and a dedicated champion of our democratic constitutional order.
“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,” she said.
Simelane added that the government’s task now is to follow in Zondo’s direction.
She highlighted that already, the government has done much to implement the recommendations of the commission.
“To ensure that our country may never again experience state capture, we have introduced and enacted legislation in critical areas such as public procurement, criminal justice, public administration and others.
“The law enforcement agencies have made important progress in investigating and prosecuting alleged perpetrators and have begun to recover stolen funds.
“As we continue and intensify this work, we are duty bound to entrench in all areas of public life the ethical standards that the Zondo Commission has helped to define,” she said.
Simelane wished Chief Justice Raymond Zondo the very best upon his retirement.
“The nation thanks you for your service. The bench, the legal fraternity and our country is all the richer for your contribution.
“We are confident that your important voice and wise counsel will not be lost to us in this new era in the life of our country,” the Minister said.
