MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE PIUS LANGA

The Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng today expressed his deep sadness at the passing of former Chief Justice Pius Langa.

In a tribute to the late former Chief Justice Langa; Chief Justice Mogoeng said: "We received news of the passing of former Chief Justice Langa with deep sadness. He served the nation with great distinction not only as Senior Counsel, President of Nadel, and Justice of the Constitutional Court but also in his capacity as Deputy Chief Justice and later as Chief Justice of the Republic. He was among the first Judges to be appointed to the Constitutional Court of South Africa in 1994.

Former Chief Justice Langa's enormous contribution to the development of our Jurisprudence is known and appreciated worldwide.

One of his most valuable contributions was to help develop a Judiciary-led court administration model which would strengthen the institutional independence of the Judiciary in this country. Additionally, he together with some of the world's leading Jurists developed the Bangalore Principles on Judicial ethics which are now embraced by almost all Judiciaries in the world.

Former Chief Justice Langa was also the brains behind the first conference on Constitutional Justice, attended by leaders and members of Constitutional Courts and institutions of equivalent status, which was held Cape Town several years ago. This conference culminated in the establishment of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice (WCCJ) which is a world forum on the promotion of constitutional justice.    

The late Chief Justice Langa will be missed for his wisdom, humility and passion for Judicial independence and our Constitutional democracy.

On behalf of the entire Judiciary; I take this opportunity to express our heartfelt condolences to his family. We trust that they will be strengthened and comforted during this difficult period."

Statement issued by the Office of the Chief Justice, July 24 2013

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