President Cyril Ramaphosa has nominated Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa Maya to succeed Chief Justice Raymond Zondo who retires in August this year, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has announced.
In an announcement on Tuesday, Magwenya said the president was consulting with leaders of political parties in parliament and the Judicial Service Commission on her suitability to the highest judiciary post in South Africa.
“President Ramaphosa has invited the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly to make submissions on the suitability or otherwise of Deputy Chief Justice Maya to hold the office of Chief Justice,” the statement read.
Maya served as deputy president and president of South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal between 2015 and 2022 before her appointment as deputy chief justice that year.
The position of chief justice is set to become vacant on August 31 this year when Zondo’s term of office is due to come to an end.
Zondo was appointed as a judge of the Constitutional Court for a 12-year term with effect from 1 September 2012 and his term is, therefore, expected to come to an end on August 31, according to Magwenya.
NM/jn/APA