By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, appointed current Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa.
Maya’s appointment will take effect from 1 September 2024.
She will take over from Raymond Zondo as his term at the country’s Constitutional Court ends, according to a statement.
“Ramaphosa appreciates the confidence expressed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of political parties in the suitability of the incoming Chief Justice, who can draw inspiration and support from the confidence expressed in her.”
In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in February, Ramaphosa informed the JSC of his intention to Maya as the Chief Justice upon the expiry of the term of office of Zondo on 31 August.
Maya has served as a judge for more than 20 years.
She currently serves as Deputy Chief Justice and was appointed to the position in July 2022.
She previously held the positions of deputy president and president of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Maya was appointed a High Court judge in Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape, in 2000. She acted as a Constitutional Court judge in 2011 and in 2017, she became the first woman president of the Supreme Court of Appeal, where she’s said to run a tight ship.
She is the first South African woman jurist who served as President of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa (SCA). She also wrote the first appeal court judgement in isiXhosa.
Maya was appointed as Deputy President of the SCA in 2015, and as President of the SCA in May 2017, after being appointed as acting president in 2016.
In terms of section 174(3) of the Constitution, the president is required to consult the JSC and the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly before making an appointment, but he is not bound by their advice.