Capacity: Judge
First Appointed as Judge: May 2007 (Western Cape)
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Coloured
Date of Birth: February 1963
Qualifications: B.Juris (1986) LLB (1998)(UWC) Bcom Honours (2003)(UCT)
Key Judgments
- Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa v Bischoff N.O. obo Reyners (A119/2019) [2022] ZAWCHC 83; [2022] 3 All SA 255 (WCC) (12 May 2022)
- Moosa NO and Others v Harnaker and Others (400/17) [2017] ZAWCHC 97; [2017] 4 All SA 498 (WCC); 2017 (6) SA 425 (WCC) (14 September 2017)
- De Lille v Democratic Alliance and Others (7882/18) [2018] ZAWCHC 81; [2018] 3 All SA 684 (WCC) (27 June 2018)
- Equal Education v Provincial Minister for Education Western Cape Province and Others (12880/2019; 4566/2019) [2023] ZAWCHC 166; [2023] 3 All SA 698 (WCC) (17 July 2023)
Candidate Bio (updated September 2024):
Judge Andre Le Grange is a judge of the Western Cape High Court. He currently acts as the Deputy Judge President of this Court, and will act as such until September 2024.
Judge Le Grange began his working career as a general worker and cashier in a liquor store from 1979 to 1988. His legal career started in 1988, where he joined the Department of Justice as a public protector. He served as an additional magistrate from 1993 to 1998 and as a regional magistrate until 2005. Le Grange acted as a judge in the Western Cape High Court from 2005 to 2007 before being appointed as a judge in 2007. From April to September 2024, he served as an acting Deputy Judge President.
He contributed to the jurisprudence of South Africa in several significant cases. In the case of PRASA v Bischoff N.O. obo Reyners the court addressed issues of liability and damages arising from the failure of the Passenger Rail Agency to provide safe transportation. Judge Le Grange emphasized the agency’s responsibility to ensure passenger safety and the legal implications of neglecting such a duty. In the case of Equal Education v Provincial Minister for Education Western Cape Province and Others, the judgment focused on educational equity and the government’s obligation to provide adequate resources to schools. Judge Le Grange’s ruling reinforced the principle that all students have the right to quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
While the case of De Lille v Democratic Alliance and Others was a high-profile political matter, Judge Le Grange ruled on issues of defamation and the rights of political figures to protect their reputation against public statements. His decision balanced the principles of freedom of expression with the need to safeguard individual dignity.
Judge Andre Le Grange has established himself as a formidable figure in South Africa’s legal landscape, demonstrating a commitment to justice that spans several decades. From his early career as a general worker to his ascent through various judicial roles, Le Grange’s journey reflects not only his dedication to the rule of law but also his ability to navigate complex legal issues with integrity and fairness. His judgments have not only shaped legal precedent but have also underscored the importance of accountability, particularly in cases involving public institutions and political figures.
As he continues to serve on the bench, Le Grange’s influence is evident in his approach to adjudicating cases that impact the lives of ordinary South Africans, advocating for educational equity and the rights of marginalized communities. His recent appointment as acting Deputy Judge President further cements his role as a leader in the judiciary, poised to inspire the next generation of legal practitioners.
April 2016 Interview:
April 2016 Interview Synopsis:
“I may not have the anatomy of a woman but I understand the issue of transformation,” Le Grange told the Judicial Service Commission as he recounted growing up Capw Town’s Elsies Rivier suburb where there was “domestic violence and economic violence” which his mother “did not escape”.
“But she taught us to be humble and dignified and not to stereotype people and to respect women,” said Le Grange, who said while his appointment may not advance the gender transformation of the Western Cape Bench, it did make for better numbers on race.
Le Grange said the norms and standards introduced for judges allowed for greater transparency about those who were working and those shirking, and had made the courts more efficient.
He said a “golden line” had to be drawn when allocating cases among judges at the court to ensure that while experienced judges adjudicated complex matters, those less experienced were still given cases which allowed them to grow within the division.
Le Grange was unsuccessful in his interview with the position going to Judge Patricia Goliath.
