[MEDIA ADVISORY] Comments on Candidates Nominated for the position of Deputy Chief Justice

06 May 2025
MEDIA ADVISORY – JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION
Comments on Candidates Nominated for the position of Deputy Chief Justice

1. By means of a letter dated 11 April 2025, the President of the Republic of South Africa submitted to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) a list of four names to be considered for the position of Deputy Chief Justice. This formed part of the consultation process envisaged in section 174(3) of the Constitution. In the letter the President nominated Judge President Dunstan Mlambo; President Mahube Betty Molemela; Judge President Cagney John Musi; and Judge President Lazarus Pule Tlaletsi for consideration for appointment as next Deputy Chief Justice. [Read more]

[READ ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ROLE OF THE DCJ HERE.]

2. On 29 April 2025 the JSC received a letter from President Molemela declining the nomination and expressing her commitment to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

3. The other nominees, Judges President Mlambo, Musi and Tlaletsi, have accepted their nominations. Furthermore, they have submitted the required questionnaire for Judges and all the necessary and standard documentation required for persons who seek to be appointed as Judges.

4. Law bodies, members of the public and all other institutions with an interest in the work of the JSC, are invited to make written submissions, if any, on the suitability or otherwise of the President’s nominees for appointment as the Deputy Chief Justice and any other information which they deem to be relevant to the entire selection process. These comments should be directed to the Secretariat of the JSC at MSongca@judiciary.org.za and TPhaahlamohlaka@judiciary.org.za, Cc: JSC@judiciary.org.za. Comments for each nominee must be submitted on a separate page in both Pdf and Word version document. Comments must reach the Secretariat by no later than 27 May 2025. No comments received after the closing date will be considered.

5. Upon receipt of the comments, the nominees will be invited for public interviews scheduled to take place from 02 to 03 July 2025 in Gauteng to determine their suitability for the position. Details of the time and venue shall be communicated in due course to the media and the public at large.

Issued by the Office of the Chief Justice

Download the media advisory here.