For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: High Court dismisses Zuma, Mbeki's bid to recuse Justice Khampepe; SAIIA mourns the passing of Steven Gruzd; And, S Africa appoints Thage to embassy in Washington

High Court dismisses Zuma, Mbeki's bid to recuse Justice Khampepe

The Gauteng High Court dismissed the application brought by former Presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki to withdraw retired Justice Sisi Khampepe as chairperson of the Commission investigating alleged political interference in the prosecution of apartheid era crimes.

Last year, the former Presidents approached the courts for Khampepe’s recusal, arguing that her past roles specifically on the original Truth and Reconciliation Commission amnesty committee and as deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions created a "reasonable apprehension of bias".

The court explained that the former Presidents were required to obtain Chief Justice Mandisa Maya’s consent before instituting review proceedings against Khampepe, as per Section 47 of the Superior Courts Act.

Zuma and Mbeki were ordered to personally pay the legal costs of the failed application.

SAIIA mourns the passing of Steven Gruzd

The South African Institute of International Affairs expressed sadness at the passing of its head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme Steven Gruzd.

SAIIA said his death left a void at the organisation and impacted the African policy community, to which he was strongly committed.

Gruzd was reported missing on Friday and subsequently found dead. Five people have been arrested in connection with his murder.

Centre for Social Justice director and Law Trust Research chairperson Professor Thuli Madonsela expressed shock and sadness at Gruzd’s killing, describing him as one of the country’s brilliant minds, democracy builders and champions of a shared humanity approach to social coexistence.

And, S Africa appoints Thage to embassy in Washington

South Africa appointed career diplomat Thabo Thage as its so-called minister plenipotentiary to Washington as it finalises the selection of a permanent ambassador, Business Day reported.

The appointment, made earlier this month, enables Thage to negotiate and sign agreements, the Johannesburg-based newspaper said, citing people it didn’t identify. He’ll also serve as deputy head of mission, a position that will soon become vacant, it said.

The US ambassador to Pretoria, Brent Bozell, will present his credentials to President Cyril Ramaphosa in April, the paper said, without saying how it got the information.

Pretoria hasn’t had an ambassador in the US capital since early 2025, when Ebrahim Rasool was expelled over remarks he made that were critical of US President Donald Trump. Ramaphosa appointed Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy in April, but he didn’t receive a visa to travel to the US.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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