By Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo as the new Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa, in a step that brings renewed commitment to the rule of law, accountability and developing the country’s legal framework.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that the appointment followed the constitutional process, which required consultation with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly.
“President Ramaphosa similarly thanks the incoming Deputy Chief Justice Mlambo for stepping forward to assume a new responsibility of critical national importance and wishes Justice Mlambo well in strengthening the rule of law, enriching jurisprudence and asserting the rights of all citizens,” Magwenya added.
The appointment, made in accordance with Section 174(3) of the Constitution, takes effect on Friday.
Mlambo, a seasoned jurist and respected leader of the bench, has served as the Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court since November 2012.
With this appointment, he steps into the second-highest judicial office in the country, bringing decades of legal experience, institutional knowledge and a firm commitment to the values enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution.
The president also formally communicated his decision to Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and praised the JSC for facilitating a “transparent, inclusive and robust process.
The commission’s commitment to public participation and merit-based evaluation was hailed as an example of institutional integrity.
“The commission had enhanced the nation’s confidence that the appointment of the Deputy Chief Justice was firmly grounded on merit, fidelity to the Constitution and a vision for the continued transformation and strengthening of the Judiciary,” Magwenya said.
Mlambo’s elevation comes at a time when the judiciary faces significant challenges and expectations, from increasing case backlogs and access-to-justice issues, to calls for deeper transformation and the need to insulate the courts from political interference.
Mlambo is widely respected for his strong ethical grounding and principled approach to the law.
As head of the country’s busiest high court division, he oversaw key judgments that shaped national legal discourse including decisions on political accountability, public procurement and constitutional rights.
He also spearheaded administrative reforms within the Gauteng judiciary, championing digitisation and improved case management to address the growing demands on South Africa’s court system.
Born in the Free State in 1960, Mlambo began his legal career in the 1980s and has spent nearly four decades within the legal system.
Prior to leading the Gauteng High Court, he served as Judge President of the Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court and was appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2010.
Throughout his career, he has advocated for broadening the judiciary to reflect South Africa’s diverse demographics and to dismantle the lingering elitism of apartheid-era legal institutions.
Mlambo has also played an active role in the Southern African Chief Justices’ Forum and other regional legal development bodies, furthering judicial cooperation and sharing best practices across jurisdictions.
The appointment is expected to bring continuity and credibility to the leadership of South Africa’s judiciary, especially following the elevation of Mandisa Maya as chief justice.
Mlambo’s new role as deputy chief justice will include assisting the chief justice in the overall administration of the judiciary, contributing to the Constitutional Court’s jurisprudence and helping guide the implementation of judicial reforms.
His appointment is seen as aligning closely with the Presidency’s broader vision of a capable, ethical state built on constitutional democracy and accountability.
The Presidency reaffirmed its support for an independent judiciary committed to serving the people.
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