JOHANNESBURG, Sep.28 (Xinhua) -- Former South African President Jacob Zuma's legal team on Monday wrote to Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, demanding he recuse himself as the chair of the state capture commission because of his bias against Zuma.
"For the reasons to be fully set out in the application to be made, we are instructed to seek your recusal as Chairperson of the commission on the ground that our client (Zuma) reasonably apprehended that you have already adopted a biased disposition against him," the letter from Zuma's legal representative Eric Mabuza said.
The letter said Zondo is unable to be impartial toward Zuma so he must recuse himself when the embattled former president appears before the inquiry. The team said Zondo "cannot bring an impartial mind to the issues and evidence that relate to him (Zuma)."
Zuma has been asked to appear before the chair and testify on Nov. 16-20 this year. He last appeared before the commission in 2019. He was scheduled to appear again in January 2020, but did not due to health problems.
Zondo recently held a press briefing where he expressed concern about Zuma's delayed appearance before the commission.
However, Zuma said he has always cooperated with the commission but now he is entirely unsatisfied with the conduct and unsuitability of the deputy judge.
The ongoing state capture inquiry has been investigating allegations of malfeasance, corruption and looting of state resources that occurred under Zuma's administration.
