PARLIAMENT SUPPORTS JUSTICE NGCOBO'S OFFICE TERM EXTENSION

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip welcomes parliament's endorsement of the extension of the term of office of Justice Sandile Ngcobo as the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa. The National Assembly this afternoon passed a motion supporting a draft resolution by the Chief Whip of the Majority Party supporting President Jacob Zuma's decision to extend Judge Ngcobo's term.

Justice Ngcobo, who was appointed to the current position by the President in 2009, would have been eligible for discharge from office on August 2011 as he would have reached 15 years as a judge.

A Chief Justice who has served for a period of 12 years at the Constitutional Court plus a minimum of three years at another court before he or she was appointed at the constitutional court, or a Chief Justice who served straight 15 years at the constitutional court maybe requested by the President to continue to serve as a Chief Justice for such period as may be determined by the President.

In making this decision the President has acted in terms of the law and we are happy that parliament has agreed with his wisdom in this regard.

Indeed it would have been a waste of talent, experience and skills to have allowed Justice Ngcobo to go at his age (58) while he still had so much to offer. We are confident that Justice Ngcobo will continue to accelerate the transformation of the judiciary through capable leadership and sound management.

We once again congratulate him and wish him well in this task.

Statement issued by The Office of the ANC Chief Whip, ANC Parliamentary Caucus, June 23 2011

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