High Court dismisses bid to remove Khampepe from TRC inquiry

The Johannesburg High Court has on Monday dismissed an application by former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki to remove retired Justice Sisi Khampepe as chairperson of the commission of inquiry into alleged political interference in Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases.

Khampepe had previously turned down their recusal applications in January 2026, stating there was no evidence of bias and criticising the delays in lodging the requests.

Although President Cyril Ramaphosa, who appointed her, had raised concerns about her impartiality due to her previous roles and supported calls for her to step aside, the court’s ruling affirms her position.

The decision clears the way for the long-delayed inquiry to proceed, offering renewed hope to victims’ families seeking accountability for apartheid-era crimes.