The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has concluded interviews of Judges to fill vacancies in the Bench
During the period 10-19 October 2011, the Judicial Service Commission conducted interviews at the Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town for the various vacant judges' positions in the various divisions of the High Court including the position of the Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal. These interviews were the first to be conducted under the chairpersonship of Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, who was recently appointed to the position of Chief Justice in September 2011. There were 41 candidates that were shortlisted and 34 candidates interviewed by the JSC. After the conclusion of the interviews, the JSC has presented the following recommendations to the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma:
|
|
||
|
VACANCY |
COURT |
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE |
|
Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal |
Supreme Court of Appeal |
Justice Khayelihle Kenneth Mthiyane |
***
|
EASTERN CAPE |
||
|
VACANCY |
COURT |
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE |
|
One position for a Judge |
Eastern Cape High Court |
Adv Glenn Graham Goosen SC |
|
|
||
|
VACANCY |
COURT |
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE |
|
One position for a Judge |
Electoral Court |
Ms Buyiswa Majiki
|
***
|
FREE STATE |
||
|
VACANCY |
COURT |
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES |
|
Two positions for a Judges |
Free State High Court |
|
|
KWAZULU-NATAL |
||
|
VACANCY |
COURT |
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE |
|
One vacancy Judge President Three positions for Judges |
KwaZulu-Natal High Court |
Acting Judge President Chimanlal Narotam Patel
|
***
|
|
||
|
VACANCY |
COURT |
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES |
|
Two positions for Judges. |
Labour Court |
|
***
|
GAUTENG |
||
|
VACANCY |
COURT |
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES |
|
Five positions for Judges |
North and South Gauteng High Court |
The JSC decided not to recommend a candidate for the remaining vacancy. This vacancy will be readvertised for the next sitting of the JSC. |
***
|
WESTERN CAPE |
||
|
VACANCY |
COURT |
RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES |
|
Three positions for Judges |
Western Cape High Court |
The JSC decided to postpone the interviews for the Western Cape High Court pending finalisation of the appeal in the litigation initiated by the Cape Bar Council. |
***
At the end of the interviews, Commissioners expressed their appreciation at the professional manner in which the Chief Justice and Chairperson of the JSC Justice Mogoeng chaired the interviews. The Chief Justice, in turn thanked the Commissioners for their professionalism and dedication displayed in dealing with the interviews. The JSC Commissioners have ensured that the process of interviewing the candidates is done in a dignified manner with great appreciation to the real needs of the Judiciary.
The challenge regarding the number of women candidates making themselves available for judicial positions is still a great concern to JSC. This concern is illustrated by the fact that of the 43 candidates that were shortlisted for the vacant positions, only 14 were women. Of the 15 recommended candidates, five of them are women.
If the JSC were to fulfil its constitutional mandate bestowed on it pursuant to the provisions of section 174 (2) of the Constitution, which requires the JSC to give consideration to the need of the judiciary to reflect broadly the racial and gender composition of South Africa when judicial appointments are made, more women and black candidates should make themselves available for these positions.
The JSC has decided to postpone the interviews relating to the Western Cape High Court pending the finalisation of the appeal in the litigation initiated by the Western Cape Bar Council.
Statement issued by Adv Ntsebeza SC and Mr CP Fourie, Judicial Service Commission, October 25 2011
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
