Media Statement by President Zuma on the nomination of candidate for position of Chief Justice of the Republic, August 16 2011
The position of Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa became vacant at midnight on the 14th August of 2011 as a result of the discharge from active service of former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo.
This has necessitated the appointment of a new Chief Justice.
Pursuant to Section 174 (3) of the Constitution the President of the Republic is required to appoint the Chief Justice after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly.
I have today, 16 August 2011, initiated the process of consultation by addressing letters to political parties represented in the National Assembly as well as the JSC, advising them of my nomination of Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng as my preferred candidate for the position of Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa.
Justice Mogoeng, who was appointed to the Constitutional Court in 2009, brings several years of experience in the legal profession including the judiciary. He was appointed a judge of the North West High Court in June 1997, Judge of the Labour Appeal Court in April 2000 and in October 2002 he became the Judge President of the North West High Court.