Ramaphosa: JSC report on new Chief Justice 'on my desk'
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the country will soon learn the name of its new Chief Justice.
Ramaphosa spoke to members of the media following Wednesday’s debate on the State of the Nation Address at Cape Town City Hall.
It’s been two weeks since the Judicial Services Commission recommended Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) President Mandisa Maya to head up the judiciary.
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The recommendation by the JSC has divided the nation, with some organisations such as the Freedom Under Law (FUL) stating that the JSC has gone beyond his jurisdiction.
Ramaphosa says he agrees the JSC went too far by expressing its preference for a particular candidate.
“In the past, the JSC was often given one name and they would respond about the suitability of the candidate. We sought to ask the JSC to see who would be most suitable, so we expected a reply saying these are the names of the people who are suitable but they went over that. They nominated a person. That does not detract from the role of the president.
“The president’s role remains that he has the authority and the power in the end after the various consultations with the JSC as well as the parties to appoint a Chief Justice. That is where we are now. And that is precisely what we are giving consideration to. We will see what that ensues and what the outcome of that is.”
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The country has been without a Chief Justice for over three months.
Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has been acting in the position since Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng took leave in 2021.
