Ramaphosa urged to appoint permanent deputy chief justice

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa needs to name the country’s next deputy chief justice (DCJ), as it has been eight months since Justice Mandisa Maya has been appointed as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court while the acting deputy’s term ends in July.

- ZELDA VENTER

Judge Maya was appointed in July last year, which left the position of DCJ vacant. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has been acting as DCJ of the apex court, but online group Judges Matter, which advocates for transparency and accountability within the judiciary, said it was time for a permanent deputy.

It said since the appointment of Justice Maya, the president has been silent on who her deputy will be.

“Faced with challenges such as a record shortage of judges, unprece- dented caseloads, and budget cuts, the judiciary needs strong leadership at the top. The president's silence is causing a crisis, it said.

Justice Madlanga has been in his acting role since September last year.

Judges Matter explained that the DCJ plays a crucial role in supporting the Chief Justice in fulfilling her significant responsibilities as head of the judiciary.