THE MAN BEHIND THE HEADLINES
WHEN he was asked to head up the state capture inquiry, he didn’t hesitate to take the job. He knew presiding over a commission that could change the path of South Africa would be a huge responsibility, but Judge Raymond Zondo felt honour bound to do it.
For the past four years, with the world looking on, he’s grilled politicians and others about their role in state capture. He’s stared down people who had angry outbursts and displayed immense calm when things threatened to get out of hand.
When we meet the acting chief justice at his Durban home on an overcast and humid Thursday afternoon, he’s relaxed and far from the fierce legal expert South Africans saw on screens day in and day out.
Gone are the suits and ties we got to know him in – he’s dressed casually in navy trousers and a navy kaftan-style top with tribal embroidery.
The judge is warm and welcoming, easy to laugh