President Zuma appoints Justice Zondo to the Constitutional Court

14 August 2012

President Jacob Zuma has, in terms of section 174(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, from the list prepared by the Judicial Service Commission and after consultation with the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng and leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly, appointed Justice Raymond Mnyamezeli Mlungisi Zondo as Judge of the Constitutional Court, with effect from 01 September 2012. 

Justice Zondo will fill the vacancy in the Constitutional Court occasioned by the discharge from active service of former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo with effect from 15 August 2012. 

Justice Zondo brings to the position an experience of over two decades in the legal field and on the bench, which will further strengthen the Constitutional Court in its work.

He holds a B Iuris degree from the University of Zululand, an LLB degree from the University of Natal, an LLM degree (cum laude) from the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Labour Law, an LLM degree with specialization in Commercial Law from Unisa and an LLM degree in patent law with Unisa. 

He has been a judge since 1 February 1997 and has 15 years experience as a judicial officer. He was appointed as an acting and later permanent judge of the Labour Court in 1997.  In 1999, he was appointed a judge of the then Transvaal Provincial Division where he served for a short time before he was appointed as Acting Judge President of the Labour Appeal Court and Labour Court in August 1999.  He acted in that position unitl 30 April 2000.  He was appointed Judge President of the Labour Appeal Court on 1 May 2000 in which position he served his full term of ten years which expired in 2010.  

On 8 November 2010 Judge Zondo resumed serving as a judge of the North Gauteng High Court until 31 October 2011.  With effect from 1 November 2011 he was appointed as Acting Judge of the Constitutional Court.  He served in this position until 31 May 2012.  He is presently a Judge of the North Gauteng Division of the High Court. 

Justice Zondo has also written a number of articles in the field of law and human rights.

"We wish Justice Zondo well in the exercise of this important duty to the country and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa," said President Zuma.

Statement issued by Mac Maharaj, The Presidency, August 14 2012

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