By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi has conveyed her profound sadness over the passing of Judge Vuyelwa Vivienne Tlhapi.
Judge Tlhapi passed away on Thursday, 21 August 2025, at the age of 74.
Judge Tlhapi, who served at the Gauteng North High Court in Pretoria, was widely respected for her analytical jurisprudence, integrity, and commitment to strengthening the rule of law.
In a statement of Friday, Kubayi said, “Her work continues to shape South Africa’s legal landscape. “The justice family is poorer with the passing of Judge Tlhapi. Her unwavering commitment to justice, transparency, and fairness has left an enduring legacy in our courts,”
Kubayi extended heartfelt condolences to her family, colleagues, and the legal fraternity.
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya also said the judiciary mourns the sad and untimely passing of Tlhapi, who was a guiding light.
“Justice Tlhapi was a jurist of solid intellect and impeccable integrity whose life’s work was a great gift to the law and to our nation. Her passing not only marks the loss of a deeply valued judicial officer but is the silencing of a voice that spoke with unwavering moral clarity and deep compassion for many decades.
“Judge Tlhapi’s career was a true example of dedicated and selfless service,” said Maya.
Tlhapi was also remembered for her meticulously and carefully researched judgments, which would light a path for legal practitioners and scholars into posterity.
Maya said Tlhapi was appointed as a judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court in 2010, following years of sterling legal service to the country as a magistrate, an attorney, a commissioner of the Electoral Commission of SA, and as an administrator for the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
Born in 1950, she began her legal journey as a magistrate, where she honed her skills in upholding the law with fairness. She later entered private practice, co-founding her own law firms, which showcased her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to legal excellence.
Her role as a commissioner for the Independent Electoral Commission during South Africa’s landmark 1994 democratic elections was pivotal, ensuring the integrity of the voting process that marked the end of apartheid.
In 2009, Tlhapi was selected for the Bridget Mabandla Aspirant Judges Programme, a pioneering initiative aimed at training and appointing more women and previously disadvantaged individuals to the judiciary.
She was appointed as a judge in 2010, serving at the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria. Over her tenure, she became known for her sharp analytical mind and unwavering integrity, handling complex cases with a focus on constitutional principles.
Her landmark rulings included restoring the AmaRharhabe kingship, a decision that upheld traditional leadership rights and cultural heritage. She also ordered the release of records related to the Nkandla project, promoting transparency in government spending. Other judgments reinforced fair administrative processes, setting precedents that strengthened accountability and good governance in South Africa. These contributions not only advanced justice but also inspired many in the legal field, particularly women and young lawyers aspiring to make a difference.