Public called on to participate in process to nominate Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s replacement

Political parties in parliament have called on members of the public to fully participate in the process to nominate the next Chief Justice.  

President Cyril Ramaphosa has invited the public to nominate suitable qualified candidates for the position.  

The term of the current Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng comes to an end on the 11th of October:

Some of the political parties in parliament welcome this opportunity.  

DA’s Spokesperson on Justice Adv Glynnis Breytenbach encourages the public to use it effectively.

“The DA has been calling on the president to follow this process for sometime, similar to the one followed by former President Nelson Mandela appointing the first Chief Justice. The DA encourages the public to use this opportunity.”

ACDP Chief Whip, Steve Swart shares these sentiments.

We trust that the process will produce a Chief Justice of a similar high standard of Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, given the key role that the judiciary plays in not only guarding the constitution, but also on cases like state capture.”

Coordinator of Judges Matters, Alison Tilley, says she’s very pleased that the process to appoint the next Chief Justice is an open one.

“We think that the role of the Chief Justice is a big one – a complex one and has many parts to it. We are looking foward to the panel who it should be and what qualities he or she must have.”

Nominations close on the 4th of October and objections on the 15th.  

A panel will shortlist between three and five candidates. It will be chaired by former Judge of the International Court of Justice and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.  

The panel will include, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, former Minister of Justice Jeff Radebe, former Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela, Co-chair of the South African National AIDS Council, Ms Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, and Professor of Law at Howard University School of Law, Professor Ziyad Motala.  

It will report to the President by the 29th of October. Thereafter, there will be consultation with the Judicial Service Commission and political party leaders.  

The president will decide which candidates from the shortlist to refer to the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly for consultation, as required by the Constitution, before appointing the new Chief Justice.