By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has shortlisted four candidates for the position of Chief Justice.
He has submitted the list of candidates to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of political parties for consideration.
They are:
- Constitutional Court Justice, Mbuyiseli Madlanga;
- President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Judge Mandisa Maya;
- Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Dunstan Mlambo; and
- Deputy Chief Justice, Raymond Mnyamezeli Mlungisi Zondo.
This is the first time in South African history that four chief justice candidates will be interviewed by the JSC as the president usually only nominates one person.
Presidency said he made his final selection after considering the panel’s report.
Under the constitution, the president appoints the chief justice and deputy chief justice, as well as the president and deputy president of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Ramaphosa invited public nominations for the position in September after former chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng left office on October 11.