Gauteng Judge President Mlambo elevated to position of deputy chief justice

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo will from 1 August assume his role at deputy chief justice of the country.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Mlambo’s appointment on Thursday night after a recommendation from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The position has been vacant since Justice Mandisa Maya was appointed chief justice in September last year.

Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, who officially retired on 31 July, had been acting deputy chief justice.

Mlambo has been judge president of the Gauteng division of the high court since November 2012 and he will now ascend to the second-highest judicial position in the country.

His appointment comes after a rigorous interview before the JSC in July.

President Ramaphosa said that the commission had enhanced the nation’s confidence that Mlambo’s apppointment was firmly grounded on merit and fidelity to the Constitution.

"The president has also expressed to the chief justice his appreciation for the transparent, inclusive and robust process undertaken by the JSC. This process exemplified the commission’s commitment to upholding the nation’s constitutional values."

The president has wished Mlambo well in strengthening the rule of law.