[Media Statement] Further deliberations following interviews for the Deputy Judge President of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court

JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION MEDIA STATEMENT

FURTHER DELIBERATIONS FOLLOWING INTERVIEWS FOR THE DEPUTY JUDGE PRESIDENT OF THE EASTERN CAPE DIVISION OF THE HIGH COURT

[1] Following the interviews and the deliberations for the Deputy Judge President of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court that were held on 6 October 2026, none of the candidates achieved the required majority of 13 votes.

[2] The Procedures for Shortlisting, Interviewing and Recommending Candidates for Judicial Appointment and Regarding Breaches of Members’ Duties of Confidentiality, Law and Ethical Standards include the following provision:

“29 Should a vacancy remain due to some or all of the candidates not achieving a majority of votes:
29.1 The Chairperson may invite the JSC to engage in further deliberations in relation to those of the candidates that did not achieve a majority.
29.2 Those of the candidates that did achieve a majority should not be reconsidered in this second process, and should be recommended for appointment.
29.3 The deliberations and the second round of voting should be conducted as set out above, mutatis mutandis.
29.4 A candidate that did not achieve a majority in the first round that achieves a majority in the second round, may be recommended for appointment.”

[3] The Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has invited the JSC to engage in further deliberations in relation to the relevant candidates, and the JSC intends to deliberate further and conduct a second round of voting before the end of this current sitting.

Issued by the Secretariat of the Judicial Service Commission
Date: 08 October 2026
Inquiries: Mr M Mangena – 082 731 7086

Download the media statement here.