The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced that it will undertake a second round of voting for the deputy judge president post at the Gqeberha high court in the Eastern Cape. This decision comes after none of the four candidates interviewed on Tuesday obtained a majority vote. According to the JSC, the required majority of 13 votes was not achieved by any candidate during deliberations.
The JSC chair, chief justice Mandisa Maya, has invited the commission to engage in further deliberations in relation to the candidates. The commission intends to deliberate further and conduct a second round of voting before the end of the current sitting. This development marks a setback in the appointment process for the deputy judge president position.
The latest interviews are the second by the JSC for the post, following unsuccessful interviews in 2025. The previous interviews were marred by allegations of a bribe syndicate and missing court files. The JSC is seeking to appoint a suitable candidate to lead the high court in the Eastern Cape. The candidates interviewed include senior judge Fathima Dawood, Judge Buyiswa Majiki, Judge Vuyokazi Noncembu, and Judge Bulelwa Pakati.
The candidate list boasts diverse experience, with Dawood having 18 years of experience on the bench in Mthatha, Majiki having 13 years of experience, Noncembu appointed as a high court judge in 2022 and relying on her judgment-writing skills, and Pakati having worked as a magistrate for 21 years. The JSC is tasked with selecting a candidate who can effectively lead the high court.
Meanwhile, the JSC has resolved to recommend senior attorney Jennifer Marion for appointment to the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban. Marion, with 31 years of experience as an attorney, was the only candidate interviewed for the post. She has acted in the high court and magistrates' courts, demonstrating her capabilities.
During her interview, Marion was questioned about transformation patterns in the legal sector by commissioner Hlaleleni Matolo-Dlepu. Marion emphasized that transformation is a work in progress and highlighted the increasing presence of women on the bench as a positive development. Her appointment is expected to contribute to the transformation of the legal sector.
The JSC's decision to recommend Marion's appointment comes as the high court in Pretoria has reviewed and set aside the promulgation of the broad-based BEE (BBBEE) legal sector code. The code aims to transform the sector and enjoys support from several legal bodies. The JSC's efforts to appoint suitable candidates to the bench are ongoing, with a focus on promoting transformation and addressing challenges in the Eastern Cape high court.
Key points
- The JSC will conduct a second round of voting to appoint a deputy judge president for the Eastern Cape high court.
- Senior attorney Jennifer Marion is recommended for appointment to the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban.
- The JSC's appointment process is crucial in promoting transformation and addressing challenges in the Eastern Cape high court.
