APPOINTMENT OF JUSTICE MOGOENG AS CHIEF JUSTICE

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip welcomes the appointment of Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng as the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court today by President Jacob Zuma. We congratulate the new Chief Justice for his successful candidature and wish him well in the mammoth responsibilities that lie ahead.

We have no doubt that with the appointment of Justice Mogoeng, the only Chief Justice in history to have undergone such a rigorous, transparent and extremely testing interview process, the highest Court in the land will be strengthened and our people's continued confidence in our constitutional democracy reinforced. We are confident that the new Chief Justice will continue with the excellent work started under his predecessor, Justice Sandile Ngcobo, to accelerate the transformation of the judiciary through capable leadership and sound management.

We wish to appeal to the lobby groups who have indicated their disapproval of Justice Mogoeng's candidature to put aside their narrow and divisive interests and rally behind the new Chief Justice as he undertakes his constitutional responsibilities. The continued vilification of Justice Mogoeng and challenge to the President's decision will only serve to undermine the integrity of the Constitutional Court and confidence our people have in it.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, Parliament, September 8 2011

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