President Cyril Ramaphosa has begun the process of appointing a new Deputy Chief Justice, following the promotion of Justice Mandisa Maya to the apex judicial post. As part of the constitutionally mandated consultation process, four names have been submitted to the Judicial Service Commission and political party leaders in Parliament. Here is a quick look at each of the candidates.
Justice Dunstan Mlambo
According to the Presidenc Judge Mlambo currently serves as the Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, appointed as such on 01 November. He holds an LLD degree honoris causa – University of Fort Hare; LLB – University of South Africa; B. Proc – University of the North (now University of Limpopo).
Notable Case: In 2017, he oversaw the pressing case that forced former President Jacob Zuma to launch the State Capture Commission. This historic decision helped reveal widespread wrongdoing at the top echelons of the government.
Justice Mahube Molemela
Justice Molemela is a justice of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) and formerly served as the Judge President of the Free State Division — the first woman to hold that post.
Among her qualifications, she holds a BA degree: University of Fort Hare; B Proc: University of Fort Hare; Bachelor of Laws (LLB): University of the Free State; Master of Laws (LLM) (in Mercantile Law): University of the Free State.
Notable Case: She was instrumental in a well-known SCA case that dealt with the interpretation of customary law in succession cases, where the court acknowledged the customary law inheritance rights of women and children born outside of marriage.
Justice Cagney John Musi
Justice Musi is the current Judge President of the Labour and Labour Appeal Court. He has deep experience in labour law and has authored numerous judgments that have shaped the rights of workers and trade unions.
His qualifications include: Dipl Iuris (1985) University of the Western Cape; BA (Law): University of the Western Cape; LLB: University of the Western Cape; BA (Hon) Public Administration (1993): University of the Western Cape; LLM: University of Cape Town.
Notable Case: In the 2020 ruling against the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), Musi ruled in favour of dismissed workers, reinforcing the principles of fair labour practice and employer accountability.
Justice Lazarus Pule Tlaletsi
Justice Tlaletsi serves as the Judge President of the Northern Cape Division of the High Court. Quiet but influential, he is known for his firm stance on judicial ethics and human rights.
His qualifications include: BProc at University of Bophuthatswana (UNIBO); LLB at University of Bophuthatswana (UNIBO); CERT DEP (Unisa/LSSA).
Notable Case: He presided over a case that received a lot of attention — one that dealt with land restitution and traditional communities’ rights — and he issued a progressive ruling that upheld community land rights in a democratic South Africa.
Constitutional mandate and final steps
In his letter to the Chief Justice, President Ramaphosa emphasises the critical role the Deputy Chief Justice plays in maintaining the rule of law, constitutional democracy, and justice, as well as in leading the Judiciary.
The President has informed Chief Justice Maya that he has also begun consulting with the National Assembly party leaders over this appointment, as required by the Constitution.
Who do you think is best suited to serve as South Africa’s next Deputy Chief Justice, and why?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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