The appointment of Judge Raymond Zondo as the new chief justice has been praised and welcomed by most political parties besides the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). President Cyril Ramaphosa will appoint the Supreme Court of Appeal president Mandisa Maya as the new deputy chief justice, the office of the presidency said after the announcement of Zondo as the new chief justice on Thursday.
The appointment of Judge Zondo followed a public nomination process where the shortlisted candidates were interviewed by the Judiciary Services Commission (JSC). The questioning by EFF’s leader Julius Malema and advocated Dali Mpofu was more aggressive towards Zondo and more kind to Maya. Maya was recommended as the next potential candidate, but the decision lay with the president.
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The EFF have rejected the appointment of Zondo describing the decision as “short-sighted, factional and uninspired”. The position of chief justice was vacant since the departure of Mogoeng Mogoeng whose term ended in October 2021. After the announcement on Thursday of Zondo as the new chief justice, the EFF alleged that Zondo’s appointment comes as a reward for treating Cyril Ramaphosa kindly at the State Capture Enquiry. The EFF made these allegations with no evidence to prove it.
John Steenhuisen, the leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) took to social media to voice his opinion saying Ramphosa chose a “safe pair of hands”. “Judge Zondo has a clear track record and will go a long way in restoring faith in the judiciary,” said Steenhuisen.
Parties like COPE, ACDP, GOOD party and the Freedom Front plus have welcomed the move and applauded the president for appointing Zondo.
Source: News24, Eyewitness News, Times Live, Image from Times Live
