Most watched JSC interview videos of all time

The judges interviews always give great insight into the experience and personality of the candidates, the judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission itself. But aside from that, they are a great ‘thermometer’ of public opinion on the judiciary. With all this in mind, take a look at our most watch videos of all time*.(as of 9 February 2023)

1. Interview of Judge N F Kgomo for Deputy Judge President, Limpopo Division of the high Court 

Interviewed: April 8, 2016 |  650 531 views (as of 9 February 2023)
During his interview, Kgomo was hauled over the coals for a series of perceived misdemeanours that emerged during the interview — from his “sexist remarks” that female lawyers were attracted to private practise and expensive cars which obviated their availability for the Bench — where there was potential to earn less money — to the perception that he had pressured junior staff members at the Limpopo High Court to nominate him.

2. Interview of Judge Raymond Zondo for the Constitutional Court Deputy Chief Justice

Interviewed: April 13, 2017 | 438 774 views (as of 9 February 2023)
In April 2017 Judge Raymond Zondo was interviewed by the Judicial Service Commission to become the Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. In an interview with some tearful moments, a lot was revealed about the man. 

3. Interview of Advocate B R Tokota SC for the Eastern Cape High Court

Interviewed: Oct 10, 2016 | 408 231 views (as of 9 February 2023)
“The law is the law,” said Adv Bantubonke Tokota after a barrage of questions from Julius Malema.
This interview is one of our favourites.

4. Interview of Ms M B Mahalelo for the Gauteng Division of the High Court 

Interviewed: Oct 12, 2017 | 387 882 views (as of 9 February 2023)
It was handbags at noon — again — for Magistrate Maletsatsi Mahalelo, when she was asked by the Judicial Service Commission whether a problem relating to a law clerk filing an objection to her candidature over a missing handbag in April 2017 had been resolved.

5. Interview of Judge P Meyer for the Supreme Court of Appeal

Interviewed: April 6, 2016 | 156 411 views (as of 9 February 2023)
EFF leader Julius Malema’s questions at the Judicial Service Commission are often delivered in a bruising tone – but his questions are usually  smart and on point. In this interview, Malema put Judge Pieter Meyer through his paces.

6. Interview of Adv D N Unterhalter SC for the Gauteng Division of the High Court 

Interviewed: Oct 13, 2017 | 76 729 views (as of 9 February 2023)
Advocate David Unterhalter SC is one of South Africa’s foremost silks and has appeared in various high profile cases which have landed up in the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. During the course of a relentless period of interruptions and questions by then Chief Justice Mogoeng regarding the role of civil society in bringing cases to court, Unterhalter remained cool.

7. Interview of Advocate P Zietsman SC, for the Free State Division of the High Court

Interviewed: Oct 10. 2016 | 64 793 views (as of 9 February 2023)
Zietsman was grilled on briefing patterns in Bloemfontein and transformation initiatives at the Free State Bar.

8. Interview of Judge T R Gorven for the Supreme Court of Appeal 

Interviewed: April 6, 2016 | 64 512 views (as of 9 February 2023)
An impressive but ultimately unsuccessful interview. Leading the charge was the Economic Freedom Fighters commander-in-chief, commissioner Julius Malema. He pushed Gorven on whether judges could rule on whether public officials were “unfit to hold office” and “What would happen to our democracy if the arms of the state were used to second guess or deliberately ignore judgments?”

9. Interview of Mr M G Phatudi, for the Limpopo Division of the High Court

Interviewed: April 8, 2016 | 58 647 views (as of 9 February 2023)
Malema 1 Phatudi 0.
Canon 5: A Judge Should Refrain from Political Activity. Malema was unconvinced, “I have seen you at ANC meetings post-1994,” the EFF’s commander-in-chief thundered at a point during the interview when Phatudi was scrambling to explain .

10. Interview of Adv M M P Mdalana-Mayisela, for the Gauteng Division of the High Court

Interviewed: Oct 17, 2019 | 53 759 views (as of 9 February 2023)
The soft-spoken Advocate Pascaline Mdalana-Mayisela breezed through the Judge President’s questions on her performance while acting as a judge at the high court, however came a bit unstuck on a fee dispute involving senior advocates on her team. Like many other women advocates, she faced questions about how women advocates’ practices can be supported – although it was quite clear that the commissioners knew the answer already but had not intention on acting ont. 

To watch all the JSC interviews visit our YouTube channel.