Ramaphosa Appoints Raymond Zondo as SA’s next Chief Justice
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo as the next Chief Justice.
Zondo was acting in that position after Mogoeng Mogoeng’s term ended in October last year.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday, Ramaphosa’s decision decision follows consultation with the Judicial Service Commission and leaders of parties in the National Assembly on four nominees for appointment as Chief Justice.
“In terms of the Constitution, the Chief Justice is “the head of the judiciary and exercises responsibility over the establishment and monitoring of norms and standards for the exercise of the judicial functions of all courts”.
The presidency said with the Justice Zondo assuming the position of Chief Justice, the position of Deputy Chief Justice will become vacant.
“President Ramaphosa has accordingly indicated his intention, once the new Chief Justice assumes office, to nominate Justice Mandisa Maya for the position of Deputy Chief Justice. This nomination will be subject to the process outlined in Section 174(3) of the Constitution.
In September 2021, President Ramaphosa invited public nominations for the position of Chief Justice.
The President appointed a panel, chaired by Judge Navanethem Pillay, to evaluate nominations made by the public and to shortlist nominees who fulfilled the advertised requirements for nomination.
