The DGRU submission on the Chief Justice candidates
Ahead of the interviews for Chief Justice taking place in the first week of February 2022, the Democratic Governance and Rights Unit (DGRU) at UCT’s Department of Public Law made a submission to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on the four candidates shortlisted for the top job in the judiciary. The candidates are Deputy Chief […]
On the ANC Deployment Committee’s influence on the appointment of judges – We need to reform the JSC
Alison Tilley and Mbekezeli Benjamin | This article was first published in the Daily Maverick Political parties’ influence on judicial appointments needs to be restricted by a clear set of criteria to guide the JSC’s appointment processes. During his testimony as ANC President at the State Capture Commission, President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about how the ANC […]
![[Media statement] Judges Matter condemns outrageous attack on the Constitutional Court Building](https://www.judgesmatter.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-05-at-13.23.07.png)
[Media statement] Judges Matter condemns outrageous attack on the Constitutional Court Building
MEDIA STATEMENT: 5 JANUARY 2022 Bullets fired into Concourt building are a grave attack on the judiciary and democracy. Unconfirmed reports indicate that on the morning of 5 January 2022, several shots were fired at the Constitutional Court building. Images on social media show what looks like bullets fired into the front windows of the Constitutional Court […]
President appoints Judges after October 2021 JSC interviews
In a Presidential Minute signed on 16 December 2021, then Acting President David Mabuza appointed 23 judges to various High Court divisions. The appointments came ten weeks after the October 2021 JSC interviews, amid growing frustration and concern regarding the slow pace at which the Presidency confirms judicial appointments to crucial vacancies (see here). A […]
The process of filling judicial vacancies: Why the delay?
Once a candidate is interviewed and recommended by the Judicial Service Commission for appointment as judge, it should be little more than a series of administrative boxes that need to be ticked before they are officially appointed. Yet, in the latest round of interviews, it took over 10 weeks for this to happen, leaving commentators […]
Fighting back against corruption: Introducing the Special Tribunal
The Special Tribunal is a new court with judges to recover money lost to corruption While most judges are appointed to sit as judges of the Superior Courts (the High Court, up to and including the Constitutional Court), a small group has been designated to sit in the Special Tribunal. This is a special court […]
25 years of the SA Constitution: a look at the role of the judiciary
Variously described as ‘aspirational’, ‘transformative’ and ‘living’, there is no doubt that the South African Constitution is a remarkable document. With the values of human dignity, equality, and freedom at its core, the Constitution celebrated its 25th anniversary on 10 December 2021. We take a look at the judiciary’s contribution to the advancement of the […]
Our most read articles of 2021
Throughout the year we write articles to share information about the JSC, the judges’ interview process, and the South African judicial system as a whole. This year, much of the focus has been on the JSC interviews and of course, the position of the Chief Justice. 1. How Magistrates are selected and appointed in South […]
The need for a set of clear criteria to ensure a minimum standard
Judges Matter argues for is a set of criteria that seeks to ensure that there is a minimum standard that the JSC must employ when interviewing each candidate.
Sisi Khampepe – A reflection
A tribute to Constitutional Court Judge; Judge Khampepe who retired in October 2021
