justice Archives - Judges Matter

Our courts are in trouble – will the new Chief Justice be able to fix them?

Critical issues affecting South African courts are impeding the delivery of justice. Will our new Chief Justice be able to fix them?

Judge Goliath takes on Judge Hlophe

The Judge President (JP) of the Western Cape High Court is again the subject of serious allegations. Judge Hlophe has been accused of a range of misconduct offences by Judge Goliath, who is the Deputy Judge President (DJP) of the same court. In an explosive 14-page affidavit sent to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Judge […]

JOASA Statement: Thulare’s comments on Judicial Authority

The last round of JSC interviews took place from the 7 – 11 October 2019. On Tuesday 8 October, Mr Daniel Thulare, the Cape Town Chief Magistrate, was interviewed for a position on the Western Cape High Court bench. During the interviews he was questioned by the Chief Justice regarding comments he had made during […]

Hlophe Tribunal set to resume

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal for Western Cape Judge President John Mandlakayise Hlophe is scheduled to resume on Monday, 21 October 2019, in Johannesburg. At the last meeting of the Tribunal on 2 July 2018, Judge Musi recused himself, and the Tribunal was postponed indefinitely. Judges Matter was informed of the new date for the Tribunal […]

The Importance of Transparency in Judicial Selections and Appointments

This article was originally published by the UNODC’s Global Judicial Integrity Network. Read the original article. In October 2018, the Southern African Chief Justices’ Forum (SACJF) formally adopted the Lilongwe Principles and Guidelines on the Selection and Appointment of Judicial Officers. The Lilongwe Principles and Guidelines, which have previously been discussed in a ‘Views’ piece […]

The integrity of the judiciary in South Africa

The integrity of the judiciary in South Africa has never been in question. Or so Judges Matter has thought. It has been our firm view that judges and a judiciary that acts without fear or favour have and has been the thin black line between South Africa and state capture and a collapse in governance […]

Supreme Court of Appeal gets 5 new judges

In April the Judicial Service Commission interviewed nine candidates for five vacancies at the Supreme Court of Appeal. As was the case in previous rounds for these vacancies, the candidates were grilled on divisions within the SCA and their experience of collegiality while acting at the court. The candidates all alluded to certain divisions within […]

Five ConCourt candidates recommended to the President

Six candidates were interviewed for the Constitutional Court on Wednesday 3 April 2019 for two vacancies at the highest court. Of these candidates, five were recommended to the President for appointment. In line with section 174(4) of the Constitution the President will now appoint two Constitutional Court judges from the list of five names sent […]

Looking at the numbers on judicial transformation

The first black judge in South Africa was appointed to the bench in 1991. Since the inception of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in 1994, there has been a concerted effort to transform the judiciary by making it more equitable and diverse in terms of gender and race. This is in line with section 174(2) […]

Beyond the Numbers: Diversity on the Constitutional Court Bench

Originally the Constitutional Court was established as the final court on all constitutional matters. However, following the 17th amendment Act of 2012 it is now South Africa’s highest court on all matters. The Constitutional Court consists of the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice and nine other judges. Thus, the Court’s bench is supposed to […]

Enter your keyword

Tags: justice