Need for an 'impartial, independent, effective' judiciary has never been greater - Mandisa Maya

JOHANNESBURG - Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has honed in on the need for a strong judiciary in South Africa, now more than ever, she said.

Maya was in the hot seat at the Judicial Service Commission on Tuesday.

In the run-up to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo's retirement in August, Maya has been nominated by President Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed him.

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And the commission is on Tuesday grilling her on her vision for the judiciary, among other things.

"Our country has suffered a lot of upheavals in recent times and faces many serious challenges, so the need for an impartial, independent, effective, accountable, responsive and cohesive judiciary has never been greater."

Maya spoke to the enormity of the chief justice's responsibility.

"If I'm appointed for this position, I know that I will bear the enormous responsibility of ensuring the institution remains strong, retains its integrity and firmly executes its role of protecting and promoting the Constitution and the law so that our country, especially the poor and most vulnerable members of our society, are guaranteed access to justice."