The welcome and smile of Chief Justice Raymond Zondo contradicts the uncompromising stand that saw the arrest of former South African president Jacob Zuma during a high-profile corruption investigation.
Over the past four years, the 62-year-old man has led a thorough investigation that has revealed a series of well-organized state corruption under Zuma and threatened to continue to falter in the political arena.
Published in late June, the last part of his report described in detail the rampant corruption under Zuma that consumed state funds and suggested that 200 people face criminal charges.
However, speaking to AFP from his office in Johannesburg, Zondo said the more than 5,000-page document also raised broad questions about Africa's highly developed economy.
"How did we get to the point where we found a president ... ready to do such a thing? What's wrong with our plan?" Zondo asked.
One of the saddest discoveries was Zuma's willingness to do "the wrong thing" as he did to the wealthy Gupta brothers from India, the judge said.
"If there is one thing that matters to me most importantly in this commission is how we ensure that South Africa has never had a person who can do that to be its president," he said, a cup of rooibos tea and a small cake. sitting on his big wooden desk.
"In life there are no guarantees ... but we must do everything we can to reduce the chances of such a thing happening."
Zuma's nine-year rule came to prominence when the cronies influence government appointments, contracts and state-owned enterprises.
President Jacob Zuma's nine-year term has earned him a reputation for widespread fraud. Posted by Jerome Delay (POOL / AFP)
Former Constitutional Court judge Zondo was appointed by Zuma in 2018 to head a judicial commission of inquiry into state corruption, often referred to as "state capture".
Four years later, the report described Zuma as "a key player" in the collection of the poorest state-owned companies from 2009 to 2018.
The man once cried in front of the cameras during an interview for the post of deputy chief justice when he described his arduous revolt and prestige and how a local businessman promised to pay his school and university fees.
Threats
He would later become the man who sentenced the former president to prison.
Corrupt corruption has asked the country's highest court to sentence Zuma for contempt of court after the former president ignored an investigation team.
Following Zuma's trial, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison last year for refusing to testify.
Zuma's arrest sparked riots last July and killed more than 350 people.
The investigation has earned Zondo's reputation in South Africa, his deep voice and his round face that have appeared on television over the past four years, with more than 400 days of live broadcast.
But it came at a personal cost.
He called on the country's highest court to sentence Zuma to contempt of court after the former president ignored his investigative team. Posted by LUCA SOLA (AFP)
Zondo and his family received death threats from the father of eight children who he said were linked to the July riots.
"They should have killed me to stop me (to continue the investigation)," he said. "But my family members did not make decisions for themselves, they should have been left alone."
In March he was appointed chief justice of South Africa, a major role he now plans to restore in full.
"I have done my part, I do not engage in persecution," he said of future trials, adding that he had finally enjoyed "a little rest" after delivering a report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on June 22.
Those who want to learn more about corruption can go and read it, plus a judge who is a follower of traditional Zulu music known as maskandi negospel.