Capacity: Eastern Cape Regional Court Magistrate
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: African
Date of Birth: November 1974
Qualifications: B Juris (1997) LLB (1999) (University of Transkei now Walter Sisulu University)
Key judgments:
- S v M S (Sentence) (CC07/2025) [2025] ZAECGHC 30 (28 March 2025)
- Mbalane v Mbalane and Others (02/2025) [2025] ZAECMHC 16 (4 March 2025)
- Hololo v Minister of Police and Another (5171/2017) [2024] ZAECMHC 102 (10 December 2024)
- Likhunga Protection & Security Services (Pty) Ltd v Emalahleni Local Municipality and Another (Review Application) (673/2023) [2024] ZAECGHC 56 (13 June 2024)
Candidate Biography | Updated March 2026:
Ms Cengani–Mbakaza is a Regional Court Magistrate in the Eastern Cape.
If courtroom experience were a marathon, Cengani has run it from the starting blocks straight through to the high benches. She began her legal journey in 2000 as a prosecutor, just a year after completing her LLB at the University of Transkei (now known as Walter Sisulu University). Within three years, she had climbed from district to regional courts, and by 2003, she was a state advocate, cutting her teeth on criminal litigation before turning her attention to the judiciary in 2006, a career she has now devoted two decades to – longer than many members of Gen Z have been alive.
Her judicial path has been steady and wide-ranging. From magistrate in 2006, to senior magistrate in 2013, to regional magistrate in 2015, also serving as a commissioner at the Small Claims Court. From April 2023 to November 2025, she has acted in the High Court for over 61 weeks, sitting across criminal and civil matters, both action and motion proceedings, including civil appeals, producing an impressive 70 judgments during this time. That level of productivity in a system plagued by backlogs speaks for itself. The JSC may even be tempted to ask what her secret was.
Notably, two cases highlight her judicial style. In Mbalane v Mbalane and Others, she navigated a family dispute over the attempted exhumation of a child’s body. With sensitivity to cultural practices and constitutional rights, she balanced the interests of both parents, ultimately dismissing the application while minimising harm, a judgment marked by empathy, nuance, and contextual understanding. In Likhunga Protection & Security Services v Emalahleni Municipality, she dissected a municipal tender review to ensure procedural fairness and statutory compliance. These cases illustrate her combination of principle and practical reasoning.
Outside the courtroom, she has been an active participant in shaping the legal community. Through leadership roles in SAC-IAWJ, JOASA, and ARMSA, she has championed the development of women judges and young future practitioners. Demonstrating a commitment not just to adjudication, but to nurturing the next generation of legal talent.
Her career has also weathered unusual storms. In 2018, a former spouse lodged complaints, alleging fraud and unfitness for office. Both the police and the Magistrates’ Commission dismissed the claims. Subsequently, the estranged lover now finds himself in allegations of conspiracy to murder Cengani, which has led to the estranged lover’s dismissal from a senior prosecutorial position. This storm, in light of her steadfast and dedicated career, underlines her resilience and integrity, qualities any judge will need when the courtroom and life throw unexpected challenges.
Cengani’s journey reflects a legal professional who combines meticulous adjudication, administrative competence, and a long-standing commitment to mentorship. Having acted extensively at the High Court, the question the JSC might ponder is not whether she can handle the hot seat of the bench, but how her blend of experience, resilience, and perspective will shape her contribution to the bench.
April 2026 JSC Interview
After deliberations, the Judicial Service Commission has recommended Magistrate Nolubabalo Cengani-Mbakaza for appointment to the Eastern Cape High Court.