South Africa Archives - Judges Matter

Judicial reform is urgent for South Africa’s future

South Africa’s judiciary is in crisis. Chronic underfunding, unsafe courts, and lack of institutional independence threaten justice. Urgent reform is needed now.

Sexual Harassment in the Judiciary: The Ongoing Tribunal of Judge Mbenenge

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal into Judge Mbenenge heard harrowing testimony over seven days, including allegations of sexual harassment, power abuse, and missing evidence. The case highlights urgent concerns about accountability and justice within South Africa’s judiciary.

How much help do our courts need?

South Africa’s judiciary has long been a cornerstone of democracy—but mounting pressures, including a shortage of judges and stalled reforms, raise urgent questions. This article examines why strengthening the rule of law is more critical than ever.

Our most read articles of 2022

Throughout the year we write articles to share information about the JSC, the judges’ interview process, and the South African judicial system as a whole. This year was a particularly busy year for the judiciary, marked by a number of significant events, including but not limited to the Chief Justice Interviews, the Deputy Chief Justice […]

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 […]

Most read articles of 2019

Throughout the year we write articles to share information about the JSC, the judges’ interview process and the South African judicial system as a whole. Here is a list of Judges Matter’s most popular articles in 2019. Five ConCourt candidates recommended to the President Six candidates were interviewed for the Constitutional Court on Wednesday 3 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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