Latest news with #JudgesMatter
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Meet the candidates for Deputy Chief Justice
Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo is one of three candidates who will be interviewed on Wednesday for the position of Deputy Chief Justice. Image: Picture: Timothy Bernard/African News Agency The process to choose the country's next deputy chief justice starts on Wednesday when the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of political parties and others within the legal fraternity will interview three possible candidates. But President Cyril Ramaphosa, as head of the National Executive, after consulting the JSC and the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly, will have the final say over who will stand by the side of Chief Justice Mandisa Maya. The position of deputy chief justice has been vacant since September 1 last year, when the then-Deputy Chief Justice Maya rose to the position of chief justice. The three candidates who will be interviewed are Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, Free State Judge President Cagney Musi, and Northern Cape Judge President Pule Tlaletsi. A fourth nominee, Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) Justice Mahube Molemela, withdrew. Group Judges Matter, which advocates for transparency and accountability within the judiciary, looked at the chances of each of the judges to get the nod and said Judge Mlambo, 66, has impeccable credentials as a judicial leader. For the last 15 years, he has served as judge president of two of the busiest courts in the country – the Labour Court and then the Gauteng High Court. He is currently the most senior judge president in South Africa in terms of years of service. According to Judges Matter, he is regarded by the legal profession as an innovative and savvy leader, and he spearheaded the rollout of the Court Online system in the Gauteng High Court in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. As chair of the Judiciary's IT committee, he has overseen the further rollout of Court Online to seven of the nine provinces. Before moving into judicial leadership, he was a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal and has served a brief stint as an acting justice of the Constitutional Court, and the Labour Appeal Court, which signals experience in working in teams of appellate judges. Judges Matter said Judge Musi, 63, has the distinct advantage of having spent half his life as a judicial officer. He started as a district magistrate and worked his way up to be a regional magistrate, high court judge, deputy judge president and now judge president. 'This offers him a unique 'bottom-up' perspective on the judiciary. Should he be appointed as DCJ, this perspective would be an asset in helping implement CJ Maya's vision of a single, unified judiciary (with magistrates and judges under one roof),' Judges Matter said. Judge Musi, the youngest of the three candidates, would serve for nearly the duration of CJ Maya's tenure. In looking at Judge Tlaletsi's chances, Judges Matter said the 65-year-old has 22 years of judicial experience under his belt, with 13 as deputy judge president of the Labour Court and then the Northern Cape High Court. Judge Tlaletsi is actively involved in the leadership roles in the judiciary. 'This experience will be particularly crucial in supporting CJ Maya's vision of a single, unified judiciary that governs its own affairs,' Judges Matter said. Cape Times
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Judicial Service Commission to interview candidates for Deputy Chief Justice position
Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo is one of three candidates who will be interviewed on Wednesday for the position of Deputy Chief Justice. Image: Picture: Timothy Bernard/African News Agency The process to choose the country's next deputy chief justice starts on Wednesday when the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of political parties and others within the legal fraternity will interview three possible candidates. But President Cyril Ramaphosa, as head of the National Executive, after consulting the JSC and the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly, will have the final say over who will stand by the side of Chief Justice Mandisa Maya. The position of deputy chief justice has been vacant since September 1, last year, when the then-Deputy Chief Justice Maya rose to the position of chief justice. The three candidates who will be interviewed are Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, Free State Judge President Cagney Musi, and Northern Cape Judge President Pule Tlaletsi. A fourth nominee, Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) Justice Mahube Molemela, withdrew. Online group Judges Matter, which advocates for transparency and accountability within the judiciary, looked at the chances of each of the judges to get the nod and said Judge Mlambo, 66, has impeccable credentials as a judicial leader. For the last 15 years, he has served as judge president of two of the busiest courts in the country – the Labour Court and then the Gauteng High Court. He is currently the most senior judge president in South Africa in terms of years of service. According to Judges Matter, he is regarded by the legal profession as an innovative and savvy leader, and he spearheaded the rollout of the Court Online system in the Gauteng High Court in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. As chair of the Judiciary's IT committee, he has overseen the further rollout of Court Online to seven of the nine provinces. Before moving into judicial leadership, he was a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal and has served a brief stint as an acting justice of the Constitutional Court, and the Labour Appeal Court, which signals experience in working in teams of appellate judges. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In looking at the chances of Judge Musi, 63, Judges Matter said he has the distinct advantage of having spent half his life as a judicial officer. He started as a district magistrate and worked his way up to be a regional magistrate, high court judge, deputy judge president and now judge president. 'This offers him a unique 'bottom-up' perspective on the judiciary. Should he be appointed as DCJ, this perspective would be an asset in helping implement CJ Maya's vision of a single, unified judiciary (with magistrates and judges under one roof),' Judges Matter said. Judge Musi, the youngest of the three candidates, would serve for nearly the duration of CJ Maya's tenure. In looking at Judge Tlaletsi's chances, Judges Matter said the 65-year-old has 22 years of judicial experience under his belt, with 13 as deputy judge president of the Labour Court and then the Northern Cape High Court. Judge Tlaletsi is actively involved in the leadership roles in the judiciary. 'This experience will be particularly crucial in supporting CJ Maya's vision of a single, unified judiciary that governs its own affairs,' Judges Matter said.
News24
05-06-2025
- Business
- News24
Meyiwa judge under fire; AARTO set for 1 October: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. 'This is South Africa run by blacks': Senzo Meyiwa trial judge slammed for racial remarks - Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng is facing criticism for comments made during the Senzo Meyiwa trial, where he questioned advocate Charles Mnisi's request to be excused for the Comrades Marathon, bringing race into the discussion. - The GOOD party condemned the judge's racially divisive language, while legal experts expressed concern that it undermines judicial integrity, but Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo saw no misconduct. - Mbekezeli Benjamin from Judges Matter expressed disappointment in the conduct of legal practitioners during the trial, but also noted the judge's reference to race in his comments. Supplied/Zimbali Estate Proposed R15.5m Zimbali Beach Club purchase scrapped after wave of resident complaints - The Zimbali Estate Management Association (ZEMA) initially planned to purchase the Zimbali Beach Club for R15.5 million but cancelled the deal due to legal concerns about its authority to acquire immovable property. - Concerned residents challenged the acquisition, citing lack of transparency, conflict of interest, flawed voting procedures, and concerns about noise and security. - ZEMA CEO maintains the cancellation demonstrates sound governance and that the association remains committed to safeguarding the interests of the Zimbali Estate community. Roman Cabanac/Facebook Roman Cabanac sacked as Steenhuisen's chief of staff on his birthday - Roman Cabanac was fired from his position as Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen's chief of staff due to racist remarks made on social media. - Cabanac acknowledged his dismissal in a video, stating he is considering his options and may challenge the termination. - The controversy stemmed from Cabanac's past social media posts, including minimising the Sharpeville massacre and making derisive comments about 'poor Xhosas'. SEE | Midstream house bought with Lotto money meant for old age home, says SIU - The SIU has frozen a R3.7-million property allegedly bought with Lottery funds meant for an old-age home and an agricultural project. - The funds were allegedly channelled through nonprofits and private companies before reaching conveyancing attorneys to purchase the house. - This case follows a pattern seen in other Lottery fraud cases, where grants are misappropriated for personal gain. CatherineFoot-and-mouth: Animal transport crackdown imminent across SA - The government plans to implement national rules on cloven-hoofed livestock movement due to foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. - These new measures will introduce stricter control measures, not a ban, on livestock movement, requiring supervision and adherence to biosecurity. - The decision follows a report of foot-and-mouth disease at Karan Beef's feedlot, with the government citing reckless farmer behavior as a contributing factor. AARTO set for 1 October: What motorists should know about points, spam filters and vehicle finance - The AARTO system, introducing demerit points for traffic offences, is launching with potential consequences for drivers, especially fleet owners, as accumulating 15 points leads to license suspension. - Concerns exist regarding the AARTO system's centralised digital process, potentially compromising drivers' right of appeal and creating issues with notification awareness due to reliance on SMS and email. - The AARTO system raises questions about its impact on professional drivers, fleet owners, and the road freight industry, especially considering existing driver shortages and unique South African driving risks like hijacking. United Rugby Championship boss Martin Anayi.
Daily Maverick
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Judge's sexual harassment hearing pits the old guard against a brave new world
The prolonged Judicial Conduct Tribunal probe into a complaint of sexual harassment lodged against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge (64) is drawing to a close. Gender expert Dr Lisa Vetten is expected to give evidence on the nature of the power dynamics in this case on 20 June. The complainant, Andiswa Mengo (41), worked as a judge's secretary in the division. It took three years for the complaint to reach the tribunal. In June 2023, a preliminary Judicial Conduct Committee hearing found a prima facie case of gross judicial misconduct and recommended the appointment of the tribunal. The tribunal's chairperson, retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe, has made no secret of his need to fully understand the new language of texts and emojis and its subtexts of bananas, eggplants, dripping syringes and ripe peaches. Ngoepe has not been shy about asking how this modern technology all works. In so doing, he has also educated many of those watching the hearings livestreamed on several platforms who are lay users and need just as much educating. At first Ngoepe was of the opinion the hearings should not be public because they would tarnish the image of the judiciary, but the opposite is true. He also has to determine whether the relationship could have been consensual, as alleged by Mbenenge, who has admitted to the relationship but denied many of the allegations. The advocacy project Judges Matter has been at the forefront of documenting each step of the process and also set out what Ngoepe's options might be. Judges found guilty of misconduct face a range of potential outcomes, from minor corrective measures to impeachment. This is what happened to former Western Cape judge president John Hlophe, who was impeached in March 2024. The tribunal had ordered 'drunk driving' former judge Nkola Matata, who was also impeached at the same time as Hlophe, to pay a R1.5-million fine. According to Judges Matter, for less serious offences, punishments might include 'an apology, reprimand or corrective training, with the judge potentially paying for these measures'. A gross misconduct finding could lead to impeachment with the Judicial Service Commission recommending removal from office, requiring a two-thirds vote by the National Assembly. Clash of wor(l)ds Mbenenge's team of legal heavyweights, advocates Muzi Sikhakhane and Griffiths Madonsela, are old-style patriarchs who might view the entire matter as 'woke', but they are up against an equally pugnacious team. This includes the evidence leader, advocate Salomé Scheepers, and Mengo's counsel, advocate Nasreen Rajab-Budlender. What has played out at the tribunal since it kicked off in January is a microcosm of the greater clash between the old and the new, including the law and language and 'culture' itself. What has also been highlighted is the kind of professional conduct that is legislated and enforceable in the public workplace in South Africa. Some of the women who have testified and appear to have 'thrown' the male old guard include legal forensic linguist Dr Zakeera Docrat. She gave expert testimony with regard to the context of the WhatsApp messages between Mbenenge and Mengo, and the meaning of a range of emojis. The old boys had no idea whom they were dealing with and seemed startled to learn quite late into Docrat's testimony that she speaks, reads and understands isiXhosa. She had made no attempt to show this off. Then these guys wanted to know her 'route' to this 'legal forensic linguist' qualification. Where did she get this qualification? What is it actually? And so forth. Docrat had nothing to prove and rattled off her illustrious academic career, which includes the goal of ensuring justice is attainable for speakers of all 12 languages in South Africa. What to do? Sikhakhane and Madonsela objected to Vetten's late addition as an expert gender witness, claiming this was irrelevant and that the matter was too far down the line for new arguments. Ngoepe, aware that all eyes are on him and that the new territory here may make many feel out of their depth, allowed Vetten's evidence to be heard. The entire tribunal and the public nature of the hearing has highlighted the issue of sexual harassment of women in the workplace. But was Mbenenge's conduct so gross that it warrants impeachment? Mbenenge, as Judges Matter has noted, 'is highly regarded as a senior lawyer. As judge president, he is credited with transforming the Eastern Cape High Court division through unifying the disparate seats and attracting some of South Africa's finest legal minds to serve as judges of that court'. Mbenenge is the second-most senior judge president and the sixth-most senior judge in judicial leadership in South Africa. This is the first major case of sexual harassment to reach the formal complaints process of the Judicial Service Commission and the first time a judge is being formally investigated by a tribunal for sexual harassment. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
Eyewitness News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Judicial watchdog Judges Matter describes Ramaphosa's delay in appointing deputy chief justice as 'disruptive'
JOHANNESBURG - Judicial watchdog Judges Matter has described President Cyril Ramaphosa's delay to nominate candidates for the deputy chief justice position as disruptive. Earlier in April, the president submitted four names to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of political parties in the National Assembly for consideration. The post has not been filled on a permanent basis since the appointment of Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice of the Republic. Maya took over the reins from Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in September 2024. The organisation has also expressed shock at the president's nomination of four candidates instead of one, as the Constitution grants him the authority to appoint a Deputy Chief Justice after consultations. Researcher and advocacy officer at Judges Matter, Mbekezeli Benjamin: "While we welcome the president's nomination of the Deputy Chief Justice, we are quite surprised as to why it took him 235 days to do so. That means the deputy chief justice, once appointed, will likely start towards the end of the year, meaning that we would have gone a full year without a permanent appointment in the role of Deputy Chief Justice, which is an important role, second highest in our judiciary." GAUTENG HIGH COURT JUDGE PRESIDENT DUNSTAN MLAMBO 'ADVANTAGEOUS' Meanwhile, the Gauteng High Court Judge President, Dunstan Mlambo, has emerged as a frontrunner for the position of Deputy Chief Justice. Mlambo is one of four senior judges whom Ramaphosa has nominated for the position. The judge president heads the busiest division in the country, which handles more than 50% of all civil litigation in South Africa. Because of the overwhelming caseload that burdens the division, Mlambo has introduced mandatory mediation for all litigants in civil trials and cancelled cases enrolled past the first of January 2027. Mlambo also introduced an online system within the courts that has been widely hailed across the legal sector. Benjamin, says these, along with other factors, give Mlambo an edge for appointment. "I think Judge Mlambo does stand a bit in an advantageous position, as he runs a very busy and big court system. Implementing that mandatory mediation process shows the direction that he wants to take the court. Even though he still faces resistance from some quarters, the fact that he was able to see the vision through, I think, is a testament to his ability."
