South Africa’s Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Tuesday started interviews of the four judges shortlisted to replace Mogoeng Mogoeng who retired as the country’s chief justicat the end of last year.
Mogoeng retired in October 2021 following the end of his contract.
In an unprecedented move, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on the public to nominate candidates for the next chief justice, with an independent panel vetting the 500 nominations and listing eight candidates from the list.
This list was submitted to the president who shortlisted four candidates who will now be interviewed for the post, the JSC said.
Among those vying for the position is acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who also chaired the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture for the past four years.
The special assignment he presided over will culminate in his submission of the final volume of a three-part report on 28 February to Ramaphosa who, in turn, will forward it to Parliament by 30 June.
The other three senior judge candidates are Constitutional Court judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, Supreme Court of Appeal President Mandisa Maya, and Gauteng High Court judge president Dunstan Mlambo, according to the JSC.
Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Xola Petse, will presided over the interviews.
NM/jn/APA