Court capacity among Maya's top priorities if appointed as Chief Justice
First and foremost on her agenda, says Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, would be attaining full independence for the judiciary and bringing the magistrates’ courts within the fold of the Office of the Chief Justice.
Judge Mandisa Maya during her interview with the Judicial Service Commission on 2 February 2022 for the position of Chief Justice. Picture: @OCJ_RSA/X
JOHANNESBURG - Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya says capacity issues in the country’s courts particularly the Constitutional Court, would be among her key priorities if she were to be appointed Chief Justice.
She was nominated by President Cyril Ramaphosa in February, and the Judicial Service Commission is interviewing her for the top job judicial job on Tuesday.
This comes as the current Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is set to retire in three months.
First and foremost on her agenda, said Maya, would be attaining full independence for the judiciary and bringing the magistrates’ courts within the fold of the Office of the Chief Justice.
She also honed in capacitation issues, though, and has indicated her support for the appointment of panels of experienced judges or senior lawyers to assist with “sifting” through Constitutional Court matters.
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Maya has also set her sights on an amendment to the Constitution - which would allow for smaller panels to decide cases.
Further, she said she would advocate for the appointment of more judges.
"So that the work is spread wider among more judges. As I understand it the court can accommodate as many as 15 judges now and creating those extra positions would, in my view, fit with the idea of allowing smaller panels to adjudicate applications and appeals and ease the pressure on the judges."
Maya also highlighted infrastructure and safety challenges and gender equality as well as the development of a functional wellness programme for judges.