Renowned legal practitioner Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC has unveiled his latest book, Odyssey of Liberation, a deeply personal memoir that examines his tumultuous journey through South Africa’s justice system.
In the book, Sikhakhane recounts how his decision to represent former president Jacob Zuma in various legal battles, including during the contentious Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, became a defining and challenging chapter of his career.
The Cost of Representing Jacob Zuma
Sikhakhane describes his experience as a legal representative for Zuma as a nightmare, alleging that South African courts harbor deep-seated bias against the former president and those who defend him.
“Some judges hated me for representing President Zuma,” Sikhakhane writes, adding that the disdain for his client often extended to him. “They were impatient with me because it was important for them to demonstrate how much they disliked him. They could not even hide it.”
The advocate, who describes himself as a “rebel advocate,” contends that many judges approached Zuma’s cases with ulterior motives, prioritizing their career ambitions over impartiality. “I guess they believed, and they were right, that it was good for their judicial careers to show their antipathy towards him,” Sikhakhane asserts.
Judicial Bias and Its Consequences
Sikhakhane argues that Zuma’s frequent legal defeats were not solely based on legal merit but were influenced by political prejudice within the judiciary. He believes some judges abandon their role as impartial arbiters when Zuma is involved, choosing instead to advance their own careers.
“Honest citizens know that our courts truly dislike the man,” Sikhakhane writes. “Some judges handle political cases with one eye on their career path.”
Professional and Personal Fallout
Sikhakhane’s professional choice to represent Zuma also came at great personal cost. He reveals that friends, colleagues, and comrades distanced themselves from him, unable to reconcile his professional duty with the widespread unpopularity of his client.
“I approach my career as an advocate, not as a popularity contest. But as a calling to defend those in need of justice,” he writes. “Representing President Zuma was simply a task I took because his attorney approached me. Everyone deserves justice, no matter how hated they are.”
A Revelation About Justice and Society
Reflecting on the experience, Sikhakhane shares how it profoundly shaped his understanding of society and justice. “Representing President Zuma is probably the most challenging and yet enlightening brief I have had. It revealed the bigotry in our judiciary and the belief that only those who are liked deserve justice.”
Odyssey of Liberation offers readers a candid exploration of Sikhakhane’s legal career and his observations on the complexities of South Africa’s justice system, particularly when politics and public opinion collide with the principles of fairness and equality.
