Chief Justice Raymond Zondo interviews candidates for judicial positions in Johannesburg on 5 April 2022. Picture: Nigel Sibanda
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Friday concluded its interviews for new judge appointments across various courts.
On the final day, the JSC interviewed candidates for two positions at the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) High Court in Durban and one vacancy in the Limpopo High Court in Thohoyandou.
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Attorney Narini Hiralall, Professor Mbuzeni Mathenjwa, Advocate Cheryl Smart and Attorney Eric Zaca were vying for permanent appointments in the KZN division.
However, only Mathenjwa made the cut with the commission deciding to leave the other vacancy open.
The JSC also decided not to fill the vacant post at the Limpopo High Court despite Advocate Lesibana Ledwaba being the sole candidate.
On Thursday, JSC recommended four senior advocates to President Cyril Ramaphosa for permanent appointment to the Gauteng High Court.
The commission concluded interviews of seven candidates on Thursday and recommended Advocate Soraya Hassim, Advocate JJ Strydom, Advocate Omphemetse Mooki and Advocate Brad Wanless.
Only one candidate was interviewed for a vacancy in the Electoral Court.
However, the JSC resolved to not recommend Judge Leicester Rock Adams for appointment.
Furthermore, the JSC recommended Judge Edwin Molahlehi for appointment to the position of Deputy Judge President of the Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court.
The commission also recommended Judge Madeline Nkutha-Nkontwana, Judge Kathrine Savage and Judge Andre Van Niekerk out of four other vacancies in the Labour Appeal Court.
This leaves one position open.
All three vacancies for Durban, Gqeberha and Johannesburg were filled in the Labour Court after five candidates were interviewed.
Advocate Kelsey Allen-Yaman was recommended for appointment in Durban, while Attorney Reynaud Neil Daniels was selected for the Johannesburg office.
Attorney Molatelo Robert Makhura was recommended for both the Johannesburg and Gqeberha Labour Courts.
Meanwhile, the JSC interviewed 11 candidates for the vacant positions in the Supreme Court of Appeal.
The commission initially advertised five vacancies for the appellate court earlier in the year, but one post was later withdrawn.
Only two judges, Fayeeza Kathree-Setiloane and Maleshane Kgoele, were recommended for appointment.
The JSC’s decision leaves two other vacancies open.
The names of Kathree-Setiloane and Kgoele will be submitted to Ramaphosa to make the final decision on their permanent appointments.
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