The former spy boss said Zondo is unfit to be the face and embodiment of the values enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa.
Arthur Fraser, the former head of correctional services and the former chief of spies, officially objected to deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo’s bid for the position of Chief Justice.
In a letter dated Friday, 15 October – the deadline for the public to raise objections – Fraser said Zondo lacks the requisite judicial independence which the position of chief justice would demand.
He also believes Zondo lacks the integrity and fairness required for the position, as well as the necessary loyalty to the oath of office taken by judicial officers when they are appointed.
The letter, addressed to the panel chaired by former Judge of the International Court of Justice, Navi Pillay, Fraser says the reason for his objection was shaped by Zondo’s conduct during the state capture commission.
While investigating former President Jacob Zuma’s ties to the Gupta family, Zondo linked Fraser to the abuse of secret service funds. However, Fraser said he was never given an opportunity to clear his name.
He said people who had been implicated in less serious crimes where given an opportunity to testify.
“The fact that in three and a half years, Deputy Chief Justice Zondo did not even find a day for me to testify, demonstrates his lack of impartiality”, Fraser wrote.
Therefore, Fraser argues that Zondo “is unfit to be the face and embodiment of the values enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa”.
Fraser believes Zondo was only play to the tune of the political elite to “endear himself”, in the hopes of being the next Chief Justice.
“I have reason to believe that Deputy Chief Justice Zondo did this in order to endear himself with the political class so that he can secure the position of Chief Justice for which he is now nominated,” Fraser added.
Moreover, he believes Zondo did this on purpose in an attempt to protect the individuals Fraser may “have exposed as the real culprits” in the State Capture.
Fraser adds: “I further have reason to believe that his deliberate conduct sought to protect the real origins of the idea of the commission as a foreign-sponsored concept”.