President Cyril Ramaphosa's appointment of justice Raymond Zondo as chief justice has been met with mixed reactions with some saying the head of state was spoilt for choice.
Ramaphosa opted for Zondo while snubbing Supreme Court of Appeal judge president Mandisa Maya, who was endorsed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) after lengthy interviews with the four candidates last month.
Maya was the only woman among four shortlisted candidates. The others were judge president Dunstan Mlambo and justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
Ramaphosa expressed his gratitude to the JSC, leaders of political parties, members of the nomination panel and South Africans who submitted nominations.
“The inclusive process of selecting the next chief justice demonstrated not only the value that South Africans place on the judiciary, but also the depth of experience and capability within the senior ranks of the judiciary,” Ramaphosa said.
He said the position of chief justice carried a great responsibility in the country's democracy.
“I have every confidence that justice Zondo will acquit himself with distinction in this position,” said Ramaphosa.
Lawson Naidoo, executive secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the SA Constitution said: “Justice Zondo has been a judge for a very long time, so he brings institutional understanding that is needed and will bring stability.”
He said all four candidates were highly qualified and deserved the nod from Ramaphosa.
SA Federation of Trade Union’s secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said: “There were four excellent judges so the president was spoilt for choice... he’s only going to serve for two years and thereafter we hope judge [Mandisa] Maya will take over to complete the term,” Vavi said.
The EFF, which has openly criticised Zondo and accused him of seeking attention when he responded to tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu's criticism of the judiciary, labelled his appointment on Thursday as “short-sighted, factional and uninspired”.
“Zondo's aspiration to be chief justice has been fulfilled for his loyal service to Ramaphosa and his allies,” the EFF said in a statement last night.
Law expert Dr Llewellyn Curlewis from the University of Pretoria said although Ramaphosa's decision took him by surprise as Zondo was not the JSC's preferred candidate, he, however, feels that the president made the right choice.
“Justice Zondo is more than equipped to do the job, he's been acting as chief justice and shown that he's worthwhile. He can stand his ground and is already used to the pressure at that level,” Curlewis said.
SA Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said it welcomed the appointment as it believes Ramaphosa has made the right choice as Zondo has both integrity and competence.
Political party Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks said Zondo makes the cut as he is well placed to revolutionise the judiciary by promoting African jurisprudence and developing African common law.
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