[MEDIA STATEMENT] President Ramaphosa nominates Justice Mahube Betty Molemela for Judge President of the Supreme Court of Appeal

ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

THURSDAY 02 FEBRUARY 2023

MEDIA STATEMENT

President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed Chief Justice Raymond Zondo of his consideration to appoint Justice Mahube Betty Molemela as Judge President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The President has, through the Chief Justice, invited the Judicial Service Commission, to advise on the suitability of Justice Molemela to hold the office of the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The President has undertaken this consultation in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution.

This constitutional provision sets out that the President, as head of the National Executive – and after consulting the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly – appoints the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice. After consulting the Judicial Service Commission, the President appoints the President and Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The position of the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal has been vacant following the appointment of Justice Maya to the position of the Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court with effect from 01 September 2022.

Justice Molemela is currently a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

She has established an illustrious judicial career spanning over 15 years, having first been appointed as a Judge of the Free State Division of the High Court in 2008.

During her 15 years on the Bench she served as a Judge President of the Free State Division of the High Court for three years before her elevation to the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2018.

She has also served as a Judge of the Labour and Labour Appeal Court, Acting Judge of the Competition Appeal Court and Acting Judge of the Constitutional Court for two terms in 2015.

She holds a B.Proc degree (University of Fort Hare); LLB, LLM and LLD (Honoris Causa) (all three from the University of Free State).

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – 082 835 6315

ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

www.thepresidency.gov.za

JUDGES MATTER STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA NOMINATING JUSTICE MOLEMELA FOR PRESIDENT OF SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL

2 February 2023

Judges Matter welcomes President Ramaphosa’s nomination of Justice Mahube Molemela’s as the next President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

With 15 years of experience as a judge, Molemela is recognised as a leader in the judiciary. She was the first woman to become Judge President of the Free State High Court and was commended for her stable leadership of that court.

She also holds a wealth of appellate court experience, having been a judge on the Labour Appeal Court, the Competition Appeal Court, and acting stints on the Constitutional Court. This will stand her in good stead as she takes up the mantle at the SCA.

Once confirmed, Molemela will be only one of two women who hold permanent leadership positions in the judiciary, which is a cause for some concern. It means that only 2 women who will sit on the 14-member Heads of Court forum, a statutory body responsible for taking important policy decisions in the judiciary (which currently has 40% women).

Judges Matter therefore calls on the leadership of the judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission to take urgent steps to bring more women onto the decision-making table.

For comment:

Mbekezeli Benjamin: Email: mbekezeli@judgesmatter.co.za

Zikhona Ndlebe: Email: zikhona@judgesmatter.co.za

Read more about Justice Molemela here: 

Read more about women in judicial leadership here: