Strengthening the judiciary’s independence will be a key target in his term as leader of South Africa’s judiciary, the incoming Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has said.
Zondo is expected to begin his term as chief justice on April 1 following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointing him to the position on March 10.
However, due to the 12-year restriction on terms of office for justices of the Constitutional Court, the incoming Chief Justice will be in the position for only two years – a fact Zondo said he was acutely aware of.
“When I look at what I want to achieve, I’ve got to look at the time I have. I have got to be realistic. I will achieve the things I’ve identified within this period – but I will also be seeking to lay the foundation for any other things that may be long term,” Zondo told journalists on Thursday.
He added: “If I could ensure that by the time my term of office ends, the judiciary of South Africa has attained that institutional independence, I’ll be very happy. This is because the independence of the judiciary is critical to sustaining our constitutional democracy.”
Zondo said although members of society were entitled to have their views on the judiciary, serious allegations of misconduct or criminality – which could be backed up by evidence – on the part of any member of the judiciary, should be reported to the Judicial Conduct Committee for investigation.
“If anybody has got any evidence that any judge is captured or the judiciary is captured, they must come forward. It is wrong to make allegations…when there is no evidence,” Zondo said.
NM/jn/APA