OCJ Refutes Alleged ‘Deep Relationship’ Between Chief Justice Designate Mandisa Maya And Zuma

The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) has firmly denied allegations suggesting a close relationship between Chief Justice Designate Mandisa Maya and former President Jacob Zuma.

These claims surfaced after an article published by Opera News on July 27, which titled “He is like a brother to me, and [like] a father to my children,” attributed these sentiments to Justice Maya. The OCJ has categorically refuted these statements.

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In a formal statement, the OCJ clarified that Mandisa Maya has never met or had any contact with former President Zuma.

“The OCJ wishes to put it on record that the Chief Justice Designate, who has never met or had any contact with former President Zuma, has never made such a statement, and any suggestion that the Chief Justice Designate has a ‘deep personal and professional relationship’ with Zuma is unfounded, false, and refuted,” read the statement.

The OCJ further elaborated that Opera News misrepresented a quote from 2017, when Maya was appointed President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) by Zuma. At that time, Maya had remarked on the courage and farsightedness of Zuma in nominating her, despite not knowing her personally. “Justice Maya stated unequivocally that former President Zuma nominated her without knowing her personally,” the OCJ emphasized.

The OCJ has demanded that Opera News immediately retract the article and issue a public apology for publishing false statements.

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“The OCJ demands Opera News immediately removes the article in question from its platform, as well as ceases and desists from making these false statements against the Chief Justice Designate in any future articles. The OCJ further demands Opera News issues a public apology to the Chief Justice Designate for publishing false statements about her,” the office stated.

Media Statement – Claims of a ‘deep’ relationship between Chief Justice Designate M M L Maya and former President Zuma unfounded and false. pic.twitter.com/zCFrD0iLV2

— RSAJudiciary (@OCJ_RSA) July 28, 2024

Mandisa Maya, who was appointed as the new Chief Justice on Thursday, will take office on September 1, succeeding Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. She is set to become the first female Chief Justice in the history of South Africa.