Claims of relationship between Mandisa Maya and Jacob Zuma unfounded - Chief Justice's office
Over the weekend, an article, titled ‘He is like a father to me and father to my children’, where Maya praises Zuma after her appointment was published on Opera News.
Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya during an interview for the position of chief justice on 21 May 2024. Picture: @OCJ_RSA/X
JOHANNESBURG - The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) says claims of a relationship between the incoming incumbent Mandisa Maya and former president Jacob Zuma are unfounded and false.
Over the weekend, an article, titled ‘He is like a father to me and father to my children’, where Maya praises Zuma after her appointment was published on Opera News.
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The article suggested that Maya expressed her gratitude to Zuma following her recent appointment and described him as “like a brother” to her and a “father” to her children.
The OCJ is adamant that she never said this, saying she’s “never met or had any contact” with Zuma.
In a statement issued in response to the article, the OCJ has refuted the suggestions as mentioned in the article about the alleged relationship between Maya and Zuma.
The OCJ said in an interview after Maya was appointed President of the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2017, she commented that she was “impressed by the courage and farsightedness” of Zuma after he had nominated her during his time as the country's leader, but she also said he didn’t know her “from a bar of soap”.
In another interview at the time, the OCJ said Maya “stated unequivocally that Zuma nominated her without knowing her personally”.
The OCJ has demanded the article be removed and that Opera News issues a public apology.