Capacity: Judge
First appointed as a judge: June 2014 (Kwa-Zulu Natal High Court) Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Black
Date of birth: August 1964
Qualifications: Bjuris (1989) LLB (1992)(University of Zululand)
Key judgments:
- Cele v S (AR191/13) [2016] ZAKZPHC 4; [2016] 2 All SA 75 (KZP) (12 January 2016)
- Khanyile v S (12428/2016) [2016] ZAKZPHC 114 (22 December 2016)
- Member of the Executive Council for Health of KwaZulu-Natal v Mqadi (AR 501/2018) [2020] ZAKZPHC 79 (15 December 2020)
- Zululand District Municipality and Others v MEC: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, KwaZulu-Natal and Another (5660/2020) [2022] ZAKZPHC 19 (6 May 2022)
Candidate bio
Judge Nkosinathi Emmanuel Chili is a judge of the KwaZulu-Natal High Court.
He has built a distinguished legal career spanning over three decades. His early professional life was spent as a public servant, where he held various roles in the legal system. He began as a volunteer teacher in 1985, followed by a stint as a court interpreter from 1993 to 1995. His legal career progressed further when he took on the role of public prosecutor in 1995, a position he held until 1997. During this time, he developed a strong foundation in criminal law, handling numerous cases. From 1997 to 2000, he worked as a state advocate, and he was later promoted to senior state advocate, a role he filled until 2005.
In 2005, Judge Nkosinathi Emmanuel Chili’s career shifted to the judiciary when he was appointed as a magistrate, where he presided over a variety of criminal and civil matters. His tenure as a magistrate laid the groundwork for his appointment as an acting judge in 2009. During this period, he gained extensive experience in adjudicating high-profile and complex cases, which led to his permanent appointment as a judge on 1 June 2014.
Judge Chili’s judicial experience includes serving as Acting Deputy Judge President and, more recently, as Acting Judge President from 1 October 2023 to 31 December 2023. His role as Acting Judge President underscores his leadership abilities and judicial acumen.
His noteworthy judgments demonstrate his expertise in administrative and criminal law. In KwaDukuza Municipality v Lahaf (Pty) Ltd, he addressed a dispute concerning municipal contract compliance. In this case, Judge Chili upheld the rule of law by emphasizing the importance of fair procurement processes. His commitment to constitutional principles is further reflected in Cele v S, where he dealt with complex issues of sentencing, ensuring that justice was served while balancing public interest and the rights of the accused. Similarly, in Khanyile v S, he presided over a case concerning procedural fairness in criminal trials, setting a key precedent for the administration of justice.
Judge Chili’s 2022 decision in Zululand District Municipality and Others v MEC: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, KwaZulu-Natal further illustrated his capacity to tackle issues of governance and municipal management. This case involved disputes over municipal authority and governance, where he provided a detailed analysis of the legislative framework governing local government and constitutional compliance.
Judge Nkosinathi Emmanuel Chili’s vast experience across various legal arenas, his leadership roles within the judiciary, and his involvement in high-profile cases make him a respected figure in South Africa’s legal community. He is also an active member of three prominent lawyers’ associations, contributing to the legal profession’s development and mentoring younger members of the bar.
