FORMER president Jacob Zuma and Chief Justice Raymond Zondo's legal battle continues.
This is after Zuma wrote to Zondo following the Constitutional Court's recent turning down of his appeal.
This is related to the case where Zuma is attempting to privately prosecute the National Prosecuting Authority's Advocate Billy Downer and Journalist Karyn Maughan for allegedly leaking his confidential medical records.
The former head of state said he wants Zondo to clarify whether there were any roles played by retired Judges Zak Yacoob and Johan Froneman, who were recently roped in to help the apex court.
He also wanted to know if they played any role, and to what extent.
"Given the recently and widely publicised controversy regarding your alleged role in the appointment or inclusion of retired judges Yaccob and Froneman in the process of the consideration and or decision of the question whether or not to grant leave appeal, I have cause for concern expressed below.
"As the handing down of the order coincides with the period following the revelation of the above, I have reason to suspect that my case was one of those considered and or decided with the involvement of the retired judges. If that is indeed the case, such conduct would amount to gross violation of my rights," Zuma declared.
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Zuma also requested a written memorandum on the role the judges played.
He further asked if Zondo was aware before making the appointments of the judges that there were controversial statements and general insults previously uttered by Judge Yacoob, which he said does not benefit any person involved in the fair and impartial adjudication of disputes.
"If so, what considerations induced you to nevertheless appoint him over and above other retired justices of the Constitutional Court with no such disqualifying blemishes?" asked Zuma.
He further said if Zondo has objection to his request, he should furnish him with such a copy before Wednesday, 6 March.
"Please, furnish your response as soon as possible but by no later than 10am on Wednesday, 6 March 2024, failing which [I]have no option but to take urgent legal steps, including but not limited to, approaching the relevant court and laying a complaint against you for gross misconduct," he said.
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