The year 2025 has been a rollercoaster for South Africa’s judiciary, marked by deliberate governance reform alongside major blows to the public’s perception of the institution. While the country hosted prestigious events, implemented a new sexual harassment policy, and took steps toward full judicial independence, we also witnessed a decline in judicial appointments and several […]
Judges Matter welcomes Deputy Chief Justice Mlambo’s appointment, forges to work with him and hold him accountable
President Ramaphosa appoints Judge President Dunstan Mlambo as Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has broken with tradition by nominating three judges—Judge Presidents Dunstan Mlambo, Pule Tlaletsi, and Cagney Musi—for the role of Deputy Chief Justice, following the appointment of Chief Justice Maya in September 2024. A fourth nominee, Justice Mahube Molemela, has since withdrawn. This kicks off the formal appointment process outlined in section 174(3) of the Constitution, which includes consultation with political party leaders and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Public interviews with the candidates will take place on 2 and 3 July 2025.
[MEDIA STATMENT] Judicial Conduct Tribunal to conduct hearings on the complaint lodged by Judge President D Mlambo against Judge T A Maumela
On 16 September 2021 President Ramaphosa kicked-off the process of selecting South Africa’s next chief justice by making an unprecedented call for nominations from the public. Although it came only 20 days before the retirement of outgoing Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, this historic break from past practice is a boost for transparency and participatory democracy, […]
With the public interviews now only days away, the race (or maybe marathon?) for Chief Justice of South Africa is reaching fever pitch. For the first time in history, four exceptional candidates are in the running for the top post in the country’s judiciary. In this article, we note the unique qualities that might boost […]
Ahead of the interviews for Chief Justice taking place in the first week of February 2022, the Democratic Governance and Rights Unit (DGRU) at UCT’s Department of Public Law made a submission to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on the four candidates shortlisted for the top job in the judiciary. The candidates are Deputy Chief […]
Article 12(2) of the Code of Judicial Conduct for South African Judges states that; “A judge must, upon permanent appointment, immediately sever all professional links and recover speedily all fees and other amounts outstanding and organise his or her personal business affairs to minimise the potential for conflicts of interest.” But what does ‘upon permanent […]
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![[MEDIA STATEMENT] President Ramaphosa appoints Mlambo as DCJ](https://www.judgesmatter.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DCJ-Interviews-Mlambo-scaled.jpg)
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