By Thapelo Molefe
In a move to combat corruption and recover public funds, President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Judge Margaret Victor as the new president of a Special Tribunal.
She will serve for a three-year term.
Ramaphosa said on Friday the appointment was made in consultation with Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and in accordance with the Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunal Act of 1996.
In addition to Judge Victor, the following judges have been appointed to the tribunal for three years:
- Judge Thandi Victoria Norman, Eastern Cape Division of the High Court
- Judge David Makhoba, Gauteng Division of the High Court
- Judge Brian A Mashile, Mpumalanga Division of the High Court
- Judge Andre Henry Petersen, North West Division of the High Court
- Judge Chantel Moira Jennifer Fortuin, Western Cape Division of the High Court
The tribunal has a statutory mandate to recover public funds syphoned from the fiscus through corruption, fraud and illicit money flows.
“Unlike ordinary civil proceedings, which are adversarial, the Special Tribunal adopts a more flexible and expeditious approach to legal actions. Its proceedings are inquisitorial and characterised by extensive pre-trial investigations,” Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in a statement.
The tribunal’s unique approach and newly appointed members are expected to play a crucial role in recovering public funds and promoting transparency.
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