The Office of the Chief Justice has demanded that Opera News issues a public apology to the newly appointed Chief Justice, Judge Mandisa Maya, for publishing an article claiming that she has a close relationship with former President Jacob Zuma. 

IT’S LIES

The Office of the Chief Justice dismissed the article titled: "He is like a father to me and father to my children"- Maya praises Zuma after her appointment" as false and wants it retracted.

The article reads: "In a heartfelt tribute, Maya has expressed profound gratitude towards former President Zuma following her recent appointment." The article further described Zuma to be like a brother to her and like a father to her children, underscoring the deep personal and professional impact he has had on her life.

The Office of the Chief Justice said the publication did not state the source of this statement.

"The Office of the Chief Justice wishes to place it on record that the Chief Justice Designate, who has never met or had any contact with former President Zuma, has never made such a statement and any suggestion that the Chief Justice Designate has a "deep personal and professional" relationship with the former President is unfounded, false and refuted."

NOTHING PERSONAL 

The Office of the Chief Justice referred to a statement made by Judge Maya at the time she was recommended and appointed to the position of President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) by former President Zuma in 2017. 

In response to a related, direct question during her public interview by the Judicial Service Commission after her nomination, she stated: "I was very impressed by the courage and farsightedness of the person who nominated me, who is President Zuma, who does not know me from a bar of soap."

"The OCJ demands that Opera News immediately removes the article in question from their platform, as well as cease and desist from making these false statements against the Chief Justice Designate in any future articles."