Response – 11th March 2022 – Choosing the New Chief Justice Part III by Mike Pothier

It is probably fair to say that most people would have expected President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint Judge Mandisa Maya as the next Chief Justice of South Africa. Not only was she a very strong candidate, there was also widespread support for having a woman at the head of the judicial arm of government for the first time. In addition, of course, the Judicial Service Commission had done its best to paint the President into a corner on this issue, by going beyond its brief – which was simply to interview the four candidates – and recommending the appointment of Judge Maya.Choosing the New Chief Justice Part III March