Justice Molemela's nomination for DCJ position raises some questions

JOHANNESBURG - President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), Justice Mahube Molemela, has been nominated to as one of the four candidates who may ascend to the deputy chief justice position in the country.

Molemela has been at the helm of the appellate court for about two years and indicated that she would not apply for a position on the Constitutional Court bench during her last interview before the Judicial Service Commission.

However, President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier in April nominated her in a letter to Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.

She was previously recommended for appointment to the highest bench and is the only woman justice who has been nominated among the three candidates.

Mbekezeli Benjamin, researcher and advocacy officer at Judges Matter, reflects on possible sentiments from the JSC.

"Justice Molemela is someone who only recently got appointed to the SCA and in fact, in her interview in 2023 will not be applying to the Constitutional Court and so that is something that will likely take it up with her to say that can we really trust your voice if you said you were not coming and two years later you are coming now to leave the SCA and go to the Constitutional Court."