JSC announcement on judicial appointments

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REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION

PRESS RELEASE

20 April 2011

JSC Media – 1

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has concluded interviews of Judges to fill vacancies in the Bench

During the period 04-12 April 2011, the Judicial Service Commission conducted interviews at the Cape Town International Convention Centre for the various vacant judges’ positions in the Supreme Court of Appeal, Competition Appeal Court, Electoral Court and the various divisions of the High Court.  There were 31 candidates that were shortlisted and interviewed by the JSC and following the conclusion of the interviews, the JSC has presented the following recommendations to the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma:

VACANCY	COURT	RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES
Two positions for Judges of Appeal	Supreme Court of Appeal	Judge M J D Wallis The JSC was unable to recommend a candidate to fill the other vacancy.

VACANCY	COURT	RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE
One position for a Judge of Appeal	Competition Appeal Court	Judge D H Zondi

VACANCY	COURT	RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE
Two positions for Judges	Electoral Court	Adv M M Mthembu The JSC was unable to recommend a candidate to fill the other vacancy.

KWAZULU-NATAL
VACANCY	COURT	RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES
Three positions for Judges	KwaZulu-Natal High Court	Acting Judge Y T Mbatha Adv J A Ploos Van Amstel SC The JSC was unable to recommend a candidate to fill the other vacancy.

NORTHERN CAPE
VACANCY	COURT	RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE
One position for a Judge.	Northern Cape High Court	Acting Judge M V Phatshoane

GAUTENG
VACANCY	COURT	RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES
Six positions for Judges	North and South Gauteng High Court	Acting Judge N J Kollapen Adv J W Louw SC Mr N D Tshabalala Adv S E Weiner SC The JSC was unable to recommend candidates for the other two vacancies.

WESTERN CAPE
VACANCY	COURT	RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES
Three positions for Judges	Western Cape High Court	Acting Judge R C A Henney The JSC was unable to recommend candidates to fill the two other vacancies.

The Chairperson of the JSC, Chief Justice Ngcobo expressed his satisfaction with the professionalism and dedication displayed by the JSC Commissioners in dealing with the interviews of the Judges. The JSC Commissioners have ensured that the process of interviewing the Judges is done in a dignified manner with great appreciation to the real needs of the Judiciary.

The JSC reiterates its concern about the number of women candidates making themselves available for judicial positions.  This concern is illustrated by the fact that of the 31 candidates that were shortlisted for the vacant positions, only 9 were women. Of the 9 women interviewed by the JSC, there are only 3 women recommended to the President for appointment. If the JSC were to fulfil its constitutional mandate bestowed on it pursuant to the provisions of section 174 (2) of the Constitution, which requires the JSC to give consideration to the need of the judiciary to reflect broadly the racial and gender composition of South Africa when judicial appointments are made, more women and black candidates should make themselves available for these positions.

The JSC was unable to recommend candidates to some of the vacancies in the Supreme Court of Appeal, Electoral Court, KwaZulu-Natal High Court, North and South Gauteng High Court and the Western Cape High Court.  It is envisaged by the JSC that all these positions will be re-advertised and considered in the next sitting of the JSC.

Issued by the JSC

Adv Ntsebeza SC and Mr CP Fourie

Contact details: 082 467 2490 and 082 881 1737

Email:Ntsebeza@mweb.co.za and CPFourie@fsf.co.za

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