JSC recommends Mlambo as next Deputy Chief Justice

However, the JSC has stressed that the final word remains that of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who nominated Mlambo alongside Northern Cape and Free State Judge Presidents Pule Tlaletsi and Cagney Musi for interviews.

The public interviews took place over two days in Sandton, with Musi concluding his interview earlier on Thursday.

Mlambo has extensive experience as a legal practitioner.

According to Judges Matter, he began his career as a legal assistant in the KaNgwane government before joining the Legal Resources Council as a fellow in 1987. 

Mlambo was first appointed judge in 1997. He went on to work in the Supreme Court of Appeal and later held the position of Judge President of the Labour Court.

The 66-year-old has served as Judge President of the Gauteng division of the High Court in 2012.

During his interview on Wednesday, Mlambo was asked about his views on some politicians’ continued criticism of the judiciary. 

"The judiciary may express whatever concerns it has coming from the political arena, because once you raise it with the leadership of the executive or Parliament, you expect that whatever concerns you have raised will translate there; and whatever concerns are raised about the judiciary will be fed back to the judiciary. I think that's one way to deal with political players who may be unhappy and may be found to be criticising the judiciary unnecessarily," he said.  

The Judge President was previously interviewed for the Chief Justice position in 2022.