Justice Minister has faith in incoming Chief Justice Mandisa Maya
Justice Minister Thembi Simelane is hopeful Maya will help streamline the grand corruption prosecutions to pave the way for billions of rands that were looted from the State’s coffers to be recouped.
Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya during an interview for the position of chief justice on 21 May 2024. Picture: @OCJ_RSA/X
JOHANNESBURG - Incoming Chief Justice Mandisa Maya’s appointment has brought with it hopes of expediting the finalisation of grand corruption cases - and the recovery of billions of rands worth of taxpayer monies for new Justice Minister Thembi Simelane.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Maya as current Chief Justice Raymond Zondo’s successor last month.
She’s set to take office on the 1st of September.
In a wide-ranging interview with Eyewitness News recently, Simelane described Maya’s appointment - which also marks the first time a woman has occupied the office - as “exciting”.
Simelane is hopeful Maya will help streamline the grand corruption prosecutions to pave the way for billions of rands that were looted from the State’s coffers to be recouped.
“We feel through our deliberations with her we could be able to get a dedicated process between the Special Tribunal and the High Court to process.”
Simelane further said the State is going “all out” to prosecute grand corruption and touched on renewed efforts to extradite the Gupta brothers after the United Arab Emirates refused a previous bid last year.
“We are still in discussions, pursuing, writing back on every additional information that they need. But our belief is that we could have been assisted more and we are requesting the hand of the President and the King to be able to assist us.”