Ramaphosa submits list of candidates for position of Chief Justice to JSC and political party leaders

President Cyril Ramaphosa has submitted a list of four candidates for consideration for the position of Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa to the Judicial Service Commission and leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly. This is in accordance with Section 174(3) of the Constitution.

In September 2021, President Ramaphosa invited public nominations for the position of Chief Justice. This was in anticipation of the discharge from active service of former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng on 11 October 2021.

In terms of the Constitution, the Chief Justice is the head of the judiciary and exercises responsibility for the establishment and monitoring of norms and standards for the exercise of the judicial functions of all courts.

The President appointed a panel, chaired by Judge Navanethem Pillay, to evaluate nominations made by the public and to shortlist nominees who fulfilled the advertised requirements for nomination.

Section 174(3) of the Constitution directs that the President, as head of the national executive, after consulting the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly, to appoint the Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice and, after consulting the Judicial Service Commission, to appoint the President and Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Acting National Presidential Spokesperson Tyrone Seale says, “After considering the Report of the Nomination Panel, President Ramaphosa has identified the following candidates – named here in alphabetical order – for consideration for appointment: Hon. Judge of the Constitutional Court, Mr Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga; Hon. President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Madame Judge Mandisa Maya; Hon. Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Mr Justice Dunston Mlambo; and Hon. Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Justice Raymond Mnyamezeli Mlungisi Zondo.”

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