WESTERN Cape Judge President John Hlophe and Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane have been nominated for the chief justice post.
During the weekend, lobby group SA Natives Forum confirmed in a statement that it had, together with the Black Lawyers Association and Democracy in Action, nominated Hlophe and Mkhwebane.
But the frontrunners in the race to become chief justice are reportedly Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Supreme Court of Appeal President Mandisa Maya, Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo and Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
The names of those nominated for the position of Chief Justice are expected to be published on the Presidency’s website early next week.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the public to submit names of suitable candidates.
The term of the office of the incumbent will end on the 11th of this month.
A nominee for the position of Chief Justice must have experience both as a legal practitioner, including experience as a judge and as a leader.
The nomination should include letters of support, including at least one such letter from a professional body of legal practitioners, a non-governmental organisation working in the field of human rights or any other legal field.
Any objections to the nominees must be made by no later than the 15th of this month.
A panel headed by former judge of the International Court of Justice and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, will sift through the names before submitting a shortlist of three to four candidates.
The Judicial Service Commission will then do interviews, after which Ramaphosa will make the final decision.
Deadline for nominations for Chief Justice ended on Friday.
- Inside Politics
