Ramaphosa snubs JSC, appoints Raymond Zondo as new Chief Justice
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Raymond Zondo as the country's new head of the judiciary.
Zondo went head-to-head with some tough competition in Constitutional Court Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo and Supreme Court of Appeal President Mandisa Maya.
The appointment follows a lengthy process that culminated in controversial interviews last month where allegations of sexual misconduct and factional battles were thrown around.
Maya was tipped to take over the judiciary's top job after the Judicial Service Commission recommended her to Ramaphosa.
While Ramaphosa was clear that the interview process needed only to give comment on the suitability of the four candidates, the JSC pinned Maya as its top choice.
But on Thursday, Ramaphosa decided otherwise, move that is unlikely to sit well with some quarters.
"The inclusive process of selecting the next Chief Justice demonstrated not only the value that South Africans place on the judiciary, but also the depth of experience and capability within the senior ranks of the judiciary," said Ramaphosa in a statement.
"The position of Chief Justice carries a great responsibility in our democracy. As the head of the judiciary, the Chief Justice is a guardian of our Constitution and the laws adopted by the freely elected representatives of the people. The Chief Justice stand as the champion of the rights of all South Africans and bears responsibility for ensuring equal access to justice.
"I have every confidence that Justice Zondo will acquit himself with distinction in this position," Ramaphosa added.
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