JSC interviews: Candidates challenged on persisting inequality despite Constitution's promise

JOHANNESBURG - The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has posed tough questions on the work of the Constitution and fighting poverty.

The JSC’s interviews to fill a Constitutional Court vacancy entered a second day on Tuesday.

Four candidates are in the running to join the bench of the apex court.

Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi asked Supreme Court Justice Tati Makgoka what he thinks about the Constitution’s vision of economic transformation not being fully realised.

“I don’t know Justice Makgoka, this is not a trick question, it’s to really try and engage with why we have so much inequality after all these marvellous legal reforms. Why do we have so much poverty?”

Makgoka said he does not think the Constitution makes explicit reference to that.

“Look, I must say, I haven’t applied my mind to that question but I am a product of the liberation struggle in the Black Consciousness Movement and that remains at the back of my mind, it worries me as it worries you that after 30 years that we have not moved as speedily as we should have.”

Taking to the stand on Tuesday afternoon was the last candidate for the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court Justice Ashton Schippers.