South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Mandisa Maya as the new Chief Justice of the republic of South Africa. The current Deputy Chief Justice will perform her duty with the effect from September 01, 2024.
As per the sources, the appointment followed the consultation of the President, in accordance with the Constitutional prescripts, as well as the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly.
However, in the letter addressed to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on February 22, 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa informed the Judicial Service Commission, with the intention to appoint Deputy Chief Justice Maya as the Chief Justice of the Republic upon the expiry of the term of office Chief Justice Zondo on August 31, 2024.
Considering this, the President also invited the Judicial Service Commission to provide its views on the suitability of Justice Maya to hold the office of Chief Justice. Following the discharging of its consultative mandate set out in Section 174(3) of the Constitution, the Commission interviewed Justice Maya on May 21, 2024 to ascertain her suitability to be appointed as Chief Justice of the Republic.
Furthermore, the Commission subsequently assured the President of Justice Maya’s suitability to lead the judiciary in the country based on the interview. Justice Maya’s qualifications and judicial record, her leadership qualities, her experiences as a judge in various courts, her past leadership of the Supreme Cout of Appeal and her role as Deputy Chief Justice in the period leading to her nomination by the President.
The Commissioners also advised that Justice Maya’s appointment would be a significant milestone for the country as Justice Maya would be the first woman in South Africa to be appointed as Chief Justice.
President Ramaphosa appreciated the confidence expressed by the Judicial Service Commission and leaders of the political parties in the suitability of the incoming Chief Justice, who can draw the inspiration and support from the confidence expressed by her.