President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the appointment of Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo as Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa.
On Thursday, presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed Mlambo’s appointment and said he will assume office on August 1, 2025.
Magwenya said Mlambo’s appointment comes after Ramaphosa considered recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) recommendations.
Mlambo’s appointment comes after the departure of Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga who was given a farewell in a special ceremonial sitting held in the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg.
Madlanga, 63, is preparing for his next chapter as chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into alleged interference and protection of criminal elements within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
During a public interview in June, Mlambo told the JSC that his track record as a judge speaks for itself. He said when he earlier took over the labour court, it was in a dysfunctional state, “to put it mildly”. But he managed to turn it around.
He also said that he is a team leader and, if appointed, he will continue in that leadership philosophy. He heads two of the busiest courts in the country – Pretoria and Johannesburg.
In 2005, he was promoted to the Supreme Court of Appeal, as one of the first Black judges in that court. Later, in 2010, in a move that surprised many, Mlambo put his name forward to head up the Labour Court as Judge President, succeeding former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
Two years later, he took on the role as judge president of the Gauteng High Court. Judge Mlambo has previously acted at the Constitutional Court, however, in his role as Judge President of the Gauteng High Court that Mlambo has made his mark.
At 65, Judge Mlambo was the oldest candidate interviewed, meaning he must retire before completing his term as Chief Justice Mandisa Maya’s deputy.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
IOL News
Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
