Staff Reporter.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has received a few names before the appointment of the new chief justice.
It is understood that between three and five candidates will be shortlisted.
Presidency spokesperson Tyrone Seale said on Friday that the panel, chaired by Judge Navi Pillay, held its inaugural meeting this week to deliberate on procedural and substantive matters of its work.
The panel also includes Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola, former justice minister Jeff Radebe, former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, SA National Aids Council co-chairperson Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, and Professor Ziyad Motala of the Howard University School of Law.
“During the meeting, all panel members confirmed their acceptance of the task and declared that they had no conflict of interest,” Seale said.
“All discussions and decisions taken with regard to the terms of reference and criteria for assessment of the nominees agreed upon by the panel will be published in due course as a matter of keeping the public abreast of this process.”
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s term will come to an end on 11 October.
The panel is required to report to the president by 29 October.
The president will decide which shortlisted candidates to refer to the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly for consultation, as required by the Constitution, before appointing the new chief justice.
The call for citizens to send in their nominations was a first for the country.
Seale said this was “part of promoting transparency and encouraging public participation”.
During a briefing at Luthuli House, Ramaphosa was questioned on why he doesn’t do the appointment himself as he is head of state.
The president defended his decision and referenced the 2018 appointment process of a new NDPP. “I chose a panel, they interviewed, and they gave me names … then I appointed.