KEY POINTS
- President Ramaphosa starts the selection process for the next deputy chief justice of South Africa through consulting stakeholders.
- Judges Dunstan Mlambo, Mahube Molemela, Cagney John Musi, and Lazarus Pule Tlaletsi represent the candidate group for the position.
- The judiciary maintains that South Africa requires a permanent DCJ because it will help Chief Justice Maya execute her court reform agenda.
Following demands from the legal community President Cyril Ramaphosa initiated the advisory process for selecting the upcoming deputy chief justice (DCJ) of South Africa.
The Presidency stated that Ramaphosa began gathering advice from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and National Assembly political party leaders as per constitutional appointment procedures.
The vacancy for the deputy chief justice position started on September 1 last year with the promotion of Mandisa Maya to chief justice. The acting deputy chief justice position has been filled by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga yet his Constitutional Court tenure concludes in July.
The President delivered a letter to Chief Justice Maya to receive JSC recommendations for four shortlisted judges including Mlambo, Molemela, John Musi and Pule Tlaletsi.
Deputy chief justice role vital for judiciary stability
Ramaphosa notified Maya through his letter that the DCJ acts as a central leader who safeguards justice and democracy and enforces legal systems.
As head of the apex court’s administrative activities the DCJ undertakes positions of authority when the chief justice is absent to lead sessions and runs multiple essential committees which maintain operational excellence for the supreme court. The judiciary needs this urgent appointment because the judiciary experiences substantial changes while Chief Justice Maya leads the institution.
The organization Judges Matter expressed support for a permanent designation as DCJ because it would enable the implementation of Chief Justice Maya’s court strategy over time while allowing effective interaction with essential stakeholders.
The incoming DCJ should start immediately after appointment and work jointly with Maya and her team according to Judges Matter.
Consultation for DCJ appointment to build open and fast-paced procedures
Through his consultation process Ramaphosa moves forward in finding the crucial replacement for the vacant DCJ position. The president reasserted his dedication to establish open procedures for judicial nominations while maintaining both South African constitutional principles and stakeholder inclusion.
The consultation process currently underway will determine the future leadership quality which will strengthen the country’s top court.
