Durban - The legal fraternity has welcomed the appointment of Judge Achmat Jappie as KwaZulu-Natal judge president.
Jappie officially began his duties on Monday, with the announcement of his appointment by President Jacob Zuma.
The judge was the only candidate interviewed for the position. His appointment was recommended to the president by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Support for the appointment of Jappie has been strong since the vacancy was announced.
Former KZN judge president, Chiman Patel, retired in December and Judge Shyam Gyanda had been acting in the position.
Law professor, Karthy Govender, a former Human Rights commissioner who had also served as an acting judge, congratulated Jappie, saying this was a very positive appointment.
“This is a very big division which needs a competent and proactive judge president to make sure the whole process functions properly. Courts are central to resolving disputes and considering people’s rights. Judge Jappie has the capacity and the experience to deliver,” he said.
Govender also found Jappie’s interview with the JSC, in April, to be “refreshingly honest”.
The judge had spoken about the numerous difficulties facing the courts and judges.
He had referred to the poor state of the court buildings in KZN and said it was something they were trying to get repaired, but this depended on co-operation from the Public Works Department, which was not always forthcoming.
He felt more funds needed to be made available to the province and courts.
He had also referred to administrative problems, which he said were being addressed.
These problems included documents that were lost or misfiled, and complaints from attorneys about court orders not coming out on time.
Jappie also felt more judges were needed, but had said there was no space to accommodate them. He said there was a need for more women judges.
However, convincing worthy candidates to come forward proved difficult.
The judge joined the Durban Bar and worked as a private advocate for nearly 18 years, until he was appointed to the Bench in 1998.
He was appointed deputy judge president of the High Court in February 2013.
Professor Managay Reddi, dean and head of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Law, welcomed the appointment and said the school had had the privilege of interacting with Jappie over a number of years.
“During this time, he distinguished himself as a person of acute intelligence, integrity, compassion and humility,” she said.
Reddi said while the judge was likely to continue with projects initiated by Patel, there were a few other issues that required his attention.
“Enhancing efficiencies and creating a skilled and professional cohort of staff to serve the needs of our courts will go some way in addressing the long delays in matters being heard and finalised.
“It is also hoped that Jappie would continue to assist in the transformation of the judiciary by ensuring that the persons appointed in his courts to act as judges are more reflective of the equity profile and the tradition of independence and competence to which our judiciary aspires.”
The provincial director of public prosecutions, advocate Moipone Noko, also welcomed the appointment and wished Jappie well.
The KwaZulu-Natal Law Society director, Gavin John, said the society was “particularly delighted” with the appointment, having placed on record to the JSC its support of his nomination.
“Judge President Jappie is highly respected by both his fellow judges as well as those who appear before him.
“He has a dignified approach to the courts in which he appears, to his colleagues on the Bench and, most importantly, to members of civil society,” said John.
Further, they were confident his appointment would serve the best interests of the public and the legal profession, and that he would pursue all that was necessary to ensure the efficient operation of the courts and the dispensing of justice.
Daily News