JSC recommends 3 women be appointed to Western Cape High Court bench

JOHANNESBURG - The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has recommended the appointment of three women to the Western Cape High Court bench, leaving one vacancy unoccupied.

The commission is conducting interviews to fill vacancies in several of the country’s superior courts.

Wednesday is the last day, with candidates for Limpopo and Mpumalanga to take the hot seat.

READ: JSC recommends candidates with varied expertise to be appointed as Judges in Gauteng's courts

One of the candidates to be recommended by the JSC for appointment, Nontuthuzelo Ralarala, spent just 18 minutes before commissioners and was only asked two technical questions by Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde’s representative, Nico Boshoff.

"It does not appear that we have any more questions for you Ms Ralarala, you are free to go."

On the other hand, her fellow candidate who also made the cut, Advocate Melanie Holderness, was questioned heavily on her contribution and commitment to transformation.

"It is not a case that I brought in white male or white female juniors at all, I simply did not have juniors at all, I am aware of this as a shortcoming and I sought to get involved in training."

The third candidate to get the nod is regional magistrate, Masudah Pangarker.

Meanwhile, the only man to be interviewed, Dr Jacobus Moses, was snubbed by commissioners despite his heartfelt plea at the end of his interview.