Ray Zondo

Raymond Mnyamezeli Mlungisi "Ray" Zondo (born 4 May 1960) is a South African judge who currently serves as Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa.

The Honourable Raymond Zondo
Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa
Incumbent
Assumed office 7 June 2017
Preceded by	Dikgang Moseneke
Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 September 2012
Appointed by	President Jacob Zuma
Judge President of the Labour Court
In office May 2000 – May 2010
Appointed by	President Thabo Mbeki
Judge of the North Gauteng High Court
In office May 1999 – September 2012
Appointed by	President Nelson Mandela
Judge of the Labour Court
In office November 1997 – May 2000
Appointed by	President Nelson Mandela
Personal details
Born	(1960-05-04) 4 May 1960 Ixopo, Natal, South Africa
Nationality	South African
Children	Khaya Zondo Dudu Zondo
Alma mater	University of Zululand University of Natal

Early life

Judge Zondo was educated at St Mary's Seminary in Ixopo, the University of Zululand and the University of Natal, where he completed his LLB. He was admitted as an attorney in 1989 and practised as a partner in Mathe & Zondo Inc.

Judicial career

In 1997 he was appointed a judge of the Labour Court,[1] and in 1999 he was appointed to the Transvaal Provincial Division of the High Court (later the North Gauteng High Court, now the Gauteng Division).[2] In 2000 he was elevated to Judge President of the Labour Court,[2] a post in which he served for ten years.[3] In 2010 he returned to the Pretoria High Court.

From November 2011 to May 2012, Zondo served as an acting judge of the Constitutional Court. He was permanently appointed with effect from September 2012[4] and is now considered a key member, with Chris Jafta, of the Court's conservative wing.[5] In June 2017, President Jacob Zuma appointed Zondo to the office of Deputy Chief Justice, succeeding Dikgang Moseneke who retired in 2016.[6]

Commission of Inquiry into State Capture

Shortly after taking office, President Ramaphosa green-lighted an inquiry into allegations of corruption related to the influence that the Gupta family had on the previous Jacob Zuma government, known as the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture[7][8], stating "This is the year in which we will turn the tide of corruption in our public institutions".[9] Raymond Zondo was appointed the presiding judge for this commission, leading to its popular name as the Zondo Commission. Hearings began on 20 August 2018[10], and are expected to last for two years.

References

1. "The Labour Court: The judges of the Labour Court" (PDF). Consultus. General Council of the Bar. 11 (1): 27. May 1998. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
2. "New judges" (PDF). Advocate. General Council of the Bar. 13 (2): 13. 2000. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
3. "Raymond Zondo appointed as ConCourt judge". Mail & Guardian. SAPA. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
4. Maharaj, Mac (14 August 2012). "President Zuma appoints Ray Zondo to ConCourt" (Press release). The Presidency. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
5. Tolsi, Niren (18 October 2013). "Applause for Mogoeng's judicial cadenza".
6. "President Zuma appoints Justice Zondo as Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic". The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
7. https://www.sastatecapture.org.za/site/about/mandate
8. https://www.corruptionwatch.org.za/cw-urges-public-help-commission-fulfil-mandate/
9. https://www.corruptionwatch.org.za/full-text-president-ramaphosas-maiden-sona/
10. https://www.corruptionwatch.org.za/state-capture-commission-almost-running/