South Africa could have its first female chief justice in deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya after President Cyril Ramaphosa nominated her as a possible replacement for Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
On Tuesday, Ramaphosa announced that he is consulting with leaders of political parties represented in Parliament and the Judicial Service Commission to convey his nomination of Justice Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa Maya as the next chief justice of the Republic of South Africa.
Justice Maya currently serves as deputy chief justice and was appointed to the position in July 2022, and if she is successfully nominated, she will be the first woman chief justice of South Africa.
During the previous nomination process, Maya was favoured by opposition parties as the most qualified and suitable replacement to former chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng. However, Zondo was picked ahead of her, resulting in widespread criticism of Ramaphosa’s decision.
According to the Presidency, the position of chief justice is set to become vacant on August 31 when Zondo’s 12-year term of office comes to an end.
Ramaphosa appointed Zondo with effect from April 1 2022. Zondo had served as acting chief justice from 11 October 2021, when Mogoeng retired, until March 31 2022.
He was appointed as a Justice of the Constitutional Court for a 12-year term on September 1 2012.
According to the Office of the President, Ramaphosa has embarked on the process for consultation in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution.
He has also, in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution, consulted the Judicial Service Commission, chaired by Zondo, on the process of the president’s nomination of Justice Dumisani Hamilton Zondi as deputy president of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
“The position of chief justice will become vacant on 31 August when the term of office of Justice Raymond Zondo comes to an end. The chief justice was appointed as a Justice of the Constitutional Court for a 12-year term with effect from 1 September 1, 2012. The chief justice will therefore complete his term as a Justice of the Constitutional Court with effect from August 31, 2024.
“President Ramaphosa has invited the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly to make submissions on the suitability or otherwise of Deputy Chief Justice Maya to hold the office of Chief Justice,” the Presidency said yesterday.
The Star