By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Presidency has announced the list of successful candidates who have been nominated for consideration to become the country’s next chief justice.
A nominations panel has put forward eight candidates (listed in alphabetical order):
- Judge President John Hlophe
- Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga
- Justice Mandisa Maya
- Dr Wallace Amos Mgoqi
- Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane
- Judge President Dunstan Mlambo
- Advocate Alan Nelson, SC
- Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo
President Cyril Ramaphosa thanked members of the public for responding to his invitation to participate in the process of nominating the next Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa,”presidency said.
The successful candidate will replace outgoing Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.
The panel, chaired by Judge Navi Pillay, held its inaugural meeting 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.
The panel has a difficult task ahead which has been guided by the terms of reference.
The scope of work for this panel includes assessing and scrutinising all received nominations to determining whether a candidate is suitable to be shortlisted and recommended for nomination by the president for purposes of filling the vacancy of the Chief Justice.
The panel will also summarise all nominations and submitting three to five candidates to the president for his referral of candidates from the shortlist to be interviewed by the Judicial Service Commission.
The appointment criteria, which can be seen as the most important part of this process, includes assessing whether a candidate is a fit and proper person who possess the qualifications, skills, knowledge and expertise reasonably expected of an incumbent of the position of the Chief Justice.
The candidate also needs to meet the constitutional requirements for appointment and demonstrate the ability and capability to defend, protect and uphold the Constitution.