By Carien du Plessis
President Jacob Zuma again affirmed his commitment to the independence of the judiciary when he announced his appointment of Justice Sandile Ngcobo to the highest judicial office.
At the same time, he attempted to strike a reconciliatory chord by making special mention of Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, who was passed over as chief justice.
Speaking at the presidential guest house in the city yesterday - flanked by Justice Minister Jeff Radebe, outgoing Chief Justice Pius Langa and Justice Ngcobo - Zuma said: "As the executive, we respect without reservation the principle of judicial independence and the rule of law."
Justice Ngcobo takes on the position from October 12, a day after Justice Langa's retirement.
Zuma said Justice Ngcobo would head "the entire judiciary, a very significant institution in our democracy and in the interpretation of, and protection of, the rights of our people".
Zuma expressed his confidence in a proud-looking Justice Ngcobo, who did not make any mention of the problems on the Bench, but undertook "to uphold and protect the constitution".
Zuma's announcement was received with mixed reaction from opposition parties, which reacted angrily in August when Zuma announced his nomination of Justice Ngcobo to the media without consulting them first.
ID leader Patricia de Lille said yesterday while it was Zuma's "constitutional mandate" to announce Justice Ngcobo's appointment, she still thought Justice Moseneke should have got the job as judicial convention dictated this.
DA leader Helen Zille said her party hoped that Justice Ngcobo would bear his new responsibility "with the same intellectual independence and wisdom that have characterised his time in the constitutional court thus far".
ACDP president Kenneth Meshoe said his party hoped Justice Ngcobo would "help restore the credibility of our judiciary that was plagued by controversy, such as the Judge (John) Hlophe saga".