The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will interview President Cyril Ramaphosa’s four front-runners for incoming chief justice over five days, beginning February 1.
For the first time, the JSC will hold interviews with more than one candidate forwarded by the president to hold the office of top judge in SA. This follows a novel approach adopted by Ramaphosa, who invited the public to forward names and appointed an advisory panel to counsel him.
On Thursday, the JSC announced it would hold the public interviews with Ramaphosa’s four candidates in two months’ time. Those vying for the role are acting chief justice Raymond Zondo, appeals court president Mandisa Maya, Gauteng judge president Dunstan Mlambo, and apex court justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
According to the JSC’s statement, it met on November 30 and designated acting appeals court president justice Xola Petse to chair the JSC interviews with the front-runners.
The commission requires the quartet to complete a questionnaire and submit documentation the JSC requires of all those aiming to be hired as judges. Zondo, Maya, Mlambo and Madlanga must provide this information by December 10.
“Upon receipt of the documentation from the nominees, the JSC will invite the law bodies, members the public and all other institutions with an interest in the work of the JSC, to make written submissions to it, on the suitability or otherwise of the president’s nominees for appointment as the chief justice and any other information which they deem to be relevant to the entire selection process,” the JSC said in the statement.
The interviews will take place in Gauteng. Once they are concluded, the JSC will submit a written report advising Ramaphosa on its views. The final decision remains the prerogative of the president, who is required by the constitution to consult the JSC and political parties’ leaders.
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