By: Natasha Archary
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo as the next Chief Justice.
The President’s decision follows consultation with the Judicial Service Commission and leaders of parties in the National Assembly on four nominees for appointment as Chief Justice.
Once the new Chief Justice assumes office on 1 April 2022, Justice Mandisa Maya will become Deputy Chief Justice.
“The position of Chief Justice carries a great responsibility in our democracy. As the head of the judiciary, the Chief Justice is a guardian of our Constitution and the laws adopted by the freely elected representatives of the people. The Chief Justice stand as the champion of the rights of all South Africans and bears responsibility for ensuring equal access to justice. I have every confidence that Justice Zondo will acquit himself with distinction in this position.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa shared in a statement
In September 2021, President Ramaphosa invited public nominations for the position of Chief Justice.
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.
After considering the Report of the Nomination Panel, President Ramaphosa identified the following candidates for consideration for appointment:
– Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga
– Justice Mandisa Maya
– Justice Dunston Mlambo
– Justice Raymond Zondo
Justice Zondo was first appointed as a judge of the Labour Court in 1997 and was Judge President of the Labour and Labour Appeals courts between 2000 and 2010.
He has been a judge of the Constitutional Court since 2012 and was appointed as Deputy Chief Justice in 2017.
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