The top 10 JSC interviews of 2019
The Judicial Service Commission interviewed over 50 judicial candidates in 2019 and while all the JSC interviews are interesting, there are always a few which stand out and capture people’s attention.
Here are some of the most popular JSC interviews from 2019:
- Mr Daniel Mafeleu Thulare
The issues around judicial governance hit the JSC front and centre in the fiery interview of Magistrate Daniel Thulare for a seat on the Western Cape High Court bench. Following a controversial speech at the AGM of the Judicial Officers Association of South Africa (JOASA), Thulare repeated many of his assertions in his interview.
- Judge Ronald Hendricks
Judge Hendricks has had two difficult interviews in front of the JSC previously, but his ability to focus on managerial issues in this round was perhaps what allowed him to crack the nod. His views on electronic filing, infrastructure and case management were met with approval by the JSC.
- Judge Stevan Majiedt
Majiedt, as was mandatory for all Constitutional Court candidates who have served any time at the SCA, was asked about the fractious state of the appellate court for most of his interview.
- Judge Zukisa Tshiqi
At her April 2019 interview for the Constitutional Court Judge Tshiqi told the commission that her acting stint at the Constitutional Court had been “enriching”, having enjoyed sitting with more judges during hearings and the “flurry of emails” which followed.
- Judge Jody Kollapen
Gauteng high court judge Jody Kollapen flailed around helplessly during his interview for a position at the Constitutional Court. Not because he couldn’t answer questions posed to him, but, rather, because there were so few questions and so many diatribes — especially from Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng — that he had to somehow respond to. He did this with an elegance and good humour that would have eluded most.
- Judge Fayeeza Kathree-Setiloane
Judge Fayeeza Kathree-Setiloane’s interview — like most of those during the April sitting of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) — navigated themes from the irrelevant to the intriguing; for the light they shed on the racialised and gendered politics of the legal fraternity. Then, it exploded.
- Judge Clive Plasket
During his April 2019 JSC Interview for the Supreme Court of Appeal, Judge Plasket said his several acting stints at the SCA and varied expertise in administrative law (on the Bench, in practice and as an academic) would stand him in good stead at the appeals court if appointed.
- Judge Bulelwa Pakati
In her brief October 2019 JSC interview Judge Pakati requested a transfer from her seat at the Northern Cape Division of the High Court to the Eastern Cape bench.
- Judge Yvonne Thokozile Mbatha
Her interview was as unremarkable as her record appeared to suggest — a perfectly adequate judge. Mbatha came across as workmanlike in the 13 minutes the interview lasted. She told the commission that she had enrolled for a university maritime law course when faced with a particularly difficult maritime matter.
- Judge Legodi Phatudi
When the Chief Justice asks a judge if they have a personal difference with the Judge President in their division, all is not going well with that interview. Judge Legodi Phatudi was interviewed by the JSC for a position as the Deputy Judge President in the High Court in Limpopo. It is a small court, and the divisions between Judge Phatudi and Judge President Makgoba are clearly a significant problem.
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