Judicial watchdog Judges Matter describes Ramaphosa's delay in appointing deputy chief justice as 'disruptive'
JOHANNESBURG - Judicial watchdog Judges Matter has described President Cyril Ramaphosa's delay to nominate candidates for the deputy chief justice position as disruptive.
Earlier in April, the president submitted four names to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of political parties in the National Assembly for consideration.
The post has not been filled on a permanent basis since the appointment of Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice of the Republic.
Maya took over the reins from Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in September 2024.
The organisation has also expressed shock at the president's nomination of four candidates instead of one, as the Constitution grants him the authority to appoint a Deputy Chief Justice after consultations.
Researcher and advocacy officer at Judges Matter, Mbekezeli Benjamin: "While we welcome the president's nomination of the Deputy Chief Justice, we are quite surprised as to why it took him 235 days to do so. That means the deputy chief justice, once appointed, will likely start towards the end of the year, meaning that we would have gone a full year without a permanent appointment in the role of Deputy Chief Justice, which is an important role, second highest in our judiciary."
GAUTENG HIGH COURT JUDGE PRESIDENT DUNSTAN MLAMBO 'ADVANTAGEOUS'
Meanwhile, the Gauteng High Court Judge President, Dunstan Mlambo, has emerged as a frontrunner for the position of Deputy Chief Justice.
Mlambo is one of four senior judges whom Ramaphosa has nominated for the position.
The judge president heads the busiest division in the country, which handles more than 50% of all civil litigation in South Africa.
Because of the overwhelming caseload that burdens the division, Mlambo has introduced mandatory mediation for all litigants in civil trials and cancelled cases enrolled past the first of January 2027.
Mlambo also introduced an online system within the courts that has been widely hailed across the legal sector.
Benjamin, says these, along with other factors, give Mlambo an edge for appointment.
"I think Judge Mlambo does stand a bit in an advantageous position, as he runs a very busy and big court system. Implementing that mandatory mediation process shows the direction that he wants to take the court. Even though he still faces resistance from some quarters, the fact that he was able to see the vision through, I think, is a testament to his ability."
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