Ramaphosa receives backlash for stalling on Deputy Chief Justice nomination
It's been five months since the country had a permanent Deputy Chief Justice.
President Cyril Ramaphosa holds an engagement with the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC on 23 February 2024. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has received backlash for stalling on the nomination of a Deputy Chief Justice and not providing reasons for the delay.
It's been five months since the country had a permanent Deputy Chief Justice.
This despite the constitution stipulating that all constitutional obligations must be performed diligently and without delay.
The constitution gives the president the discretion to appoint the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice as well as the president and deputy president of the Supreme Court of Appeal after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
READ: Justice Minister has faith in incoming Chief Justice Mandisa Maya
However, 130 days have passed and the judiciary still does not have a second in command despite the strategic support needed by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.
Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter, Mbekezeli Benjamin said this has caused worry among some sectors.
"There are many areas in which the Deputy Chief Justice plays a unique role including chairing the judicial conduct committee which is supposed to uphold judicial ethics and hold judges accountable to performing according to the ethical standards that are set out for the judiciary. We need the president to act," he said.
Benjamin said Chief Justice Maya is taking the initial steps to implement her decade-long vision for the judiciary, making the need for the president to act more urgent.