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Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) Parliamentary leader John Hlophe says they have written to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) indicating that the party would not support the recommendation of Judge Dunstan Mlambo as Deputy Chief Justice.
Hlophe addressed this matter during a briefing at Parliament, on how the MKP is strengthening its impact in the national legislature.
The JSC has recommended Mlambo to President Cyril Ramaphosa to fill the position left vacant by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.
Hlophe, reacting to the recommendation of Mlambo as Deputy Chief Justice, said, “I personally wrote a letter. We objected. We were contacted as the opposition. We objected to him. I made it clear that he should not be appointed. Obviously, politics is about numbers. I don’t even sit on the JSC. He was recommended. It’s something that I cannot change. But our official position as the MK Party, we objected.”
Meanwhile, Mlambo says his age could be used as an advantage to Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.
Mlambo was one of three candidates that was interviewed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
He is currently 65 years old, meaning that if appointed, he would have to retire midway through the Chief Justice’s term.
Having been questioned on the matter, Mlambo admitted the timing isn’t ideal, but says it could open the door for grooming the next Deputy Chief Justice before the Chief Justice herself steps down.
“From a career development point of view, and this is me sort of advancing my case, it would serve the CJ quite well to have a candidate who would leave before her and bring in someone else as DCJ and take over from her when she goes. I think it’s a way of looking at it,” pointed out Mlambo.
JSC recommends Judge President Mlambo for Deputy Chief Justice:
