One of South Africa's most photographed public figures Chief Justice Raymond Zondo hung up his green robes on Wednesday after 27 years on the Bench. Daily Maverick selected images that tell a small part of Justice Zondo's remarkable time on the highest bench.
The chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry in State Capture Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo during a media briefing on May 24, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Giving an update into progress, Zondo said the state capture inquiry is likely to take two years to complete its work, six months more than the time allocated. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Thulani Mbele)
Special Ceremonial Sitting Of The Constitutional Court In Honour Of Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on August 21, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The comes after Chief Justice Zondo announced his retirement after a judicial career spanning 27 years. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo) Chief Justice Raymond Zondo resides over the election of the Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairperson of the NCOP as well as the election of the president on 14 June 2024. (Photo : Shelley Christians) Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo during his farewell dinner at Marriot Hotel Melrose Arch on August 20, 2024 in Johannesburg. The celebratory dinner, attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa was held in tribute to the Chief Justice, who is retiring at the end of August 2024 after a distinguished judicial career spanning 27 years. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo) Chief Justice Raymond Zondo administers the oath of office to president Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Inauguration at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 29 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla) President Cyril Ramaphosa receives the fifth and final Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State Report at the Union Buildings on June 22, 2022 in Pretoria. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) Then Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo brief the media on the possible extension of the commission of inquiry into state capture (Photo: Veli Nhlapo/Gallo Images) Then Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture. 28 November 2018. (Photo: Leila Dougan) President Cyril Ramaphosa receives the first part of the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture from the Commission’s Chairperson, Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Tuesday, 4 January 2022, at the Union Buildings. (Photo: Alet Pretorius/Gallo Images) Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo during the announcement of his state capture judicial commission of inquiry investigation team on March 08, 2018 in Midrand Zondo unveiled the six people who will drive the inquiry, saying the desired outcome was to ensure that South Africa never again experienced the state capture it has suffered. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Felix Dlangamandla) Newly appointed Constitutional Court Judge Raymond Zondo on August 17, 2012 in Pretoria, South Africa. Zondo was formerly a Judge President of the Labour Appeal Court. (Photo by Gallo Images / City Press / Herman Verwey)
If politicians worked half as hard as judges, we would be in a different space. Thank you, Chief Zondo. Given your vast output, I suspect you'll always be chief. Enjoy retirement; you certainly earned it.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ED_517464.jpg "Special Ceremonial Sitting Of The Constitutional Court In Honour Of Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on August 21, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The comes after Chief Justice Zondo announced his retirement after a judicial career spanning 27 years. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Photo-essay-Raymond-Zondo-11.jpg "Chief Justice Raymond Zondo resides over the election of the Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairperson of the NCOP as well as the election of the president on 14 June 2024. (Photo : Shelley Christians)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Photo-essay-Raymond-Zondo-12.jpg "Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo during his farewell dinner at Marriot Hotel Melrose Arch on August 20, 2024 in Johannesburg. The celebratory dinner, attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa was held in tribute to the Chief Justice, who is retiring at the end of August 2024 after a distinguished judicial career spanning 27 years. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Photo-essay-Raymond-Zondo-10.jpg "Chief Justice Raymond Zondo administers the oath of office to president Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Inauguration at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 29 June 2024. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Photo-essay-Raymond-Zondo-09.jpg "President Cyril Ramaphosa receives the fifth and final Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State Report at the Union Buildings on June 22, 2022 in Pretoria. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Photo-essay-Raymond-Zondo-08.jpg "Then Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo brief the media on the possible extension of the commission of inquiry into state capture (Photo: Veli Nhlapo/Gallo Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Photo-essay-Raymond-Zondo-07.jpg "Then Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture. 28 November 2018. (Photo: Leila Dougan)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Photo-essay-Raymond-Zondo-05.jpg "President Cyril Ramaphosa receives the first part of the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture from the Commission’s Chairperson, Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Tuesday, 4 January 2022, at the Union Buildings. (Photo: Alet Pretorius/Gallo Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Photo-essay-Raymond-Zondo-03.jpg "Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo during the announcement of his state capture judicial commission of inquiry investigation team on March 08, 2018 in Midrand Zondo unveiled the six people who will drive the inquiry, saying the desired outcome was to ensure that South Africa never again experienced the state capture it has suffered. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Photo-essay-Raymond-Zondo-02.jpg "Newly appointed Constitutional Court Judge Raymond Zondo on August 17, 2012 in Pretoria, South Africa. Zondo was formerly a Judge President of the Labour Appeal Court. (Photo by Gallo Images / City Press / Herman Verwey)")
The chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry in State Capture Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo during a media briefing on May 24, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Giving an update into progress, Zondo said the state capture inquiry is likely to take two years to complete its work, six months more than the time allocated. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Thulani Mbele)