Raymond Zondo is South Africa’s new Chief Justice
PRETORIA – Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is expected to assume his new role as Chief Justice of the country on April 1, after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his appointment on Thursday.
In a statement, the Presidency said with Justice Zondo assuming the position of Chief Justice, the position of Deputy Chief Justice will become vacant.
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA APPOINTS JUSTICE ZONDO AS CHIEF JUSTICE
President @CyrilRamaphosa has in accordance with Section 174(3) of the Constitution, decided to appoint Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo as the next Chief Justice of South Africa with effect from 1 April 2022. pic.twitter.com/6OcDFL7hbT
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) March 10, 2022
Chief Justice Raymond Zond has only two and a half years left in his term of office. Zondo has been acting in the position since the departure of Mogoeng Mogoeng.
Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) President Mandisa Maya was the sole candidate recommended by the Judicial Service Commission.
Despite this and in making the appointment, Ramaphosa says he has confidence in Zondo.
His appointment means the Deputy Chief Justice post will be vacant.
Ramaphosa says he intends to nominate Justice Mandisa Maya to succeed Zondo.
Zondo, who is also the Chairperson of the State Capture Inquiry, has been a Constitutional Court Justice since 2012 and was appointed as Deputy Chief Justice in 2017.