LIVE COVERAGE: Justice Dunstan Mlambo's JSC interview hotting up

Justice Dunstan Mlambo - a veteran of the South African legal system - will be in the hot seat as he is expected to be grilled by the Commissioners on why he should be the next Chief Justice. Picture: Timothy Bernard/African News Agency (ANA)

Justice Dunstan Mlambo - a veteran of the South African legal system - will be in the hot seat as he is expected to be grilled by the Commissioners on why he should be the next Chief Justice. Picture: Timothy Bernard/African News Agency (ANA)

Published Feb 3, 2022

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Johannesburg -

WATCH: Tough questions continue for Justice Dunstan Mlambo

Johannesburg - Tough and sensitive questions kept on being thrown at Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo on Thursday amid his interview for the position of Chief Justice.

It was revealed, during the first part of the question and answer session, that Public Protector Busiswe Mkhwabane had objected to Mlambo’s candidacy in her personal and official capacity.

JSC Commissioner Thandazani Madonsela noted a comment by Democracy in Action, which had previously been litigated in support of former President Jacob Zuma and Mkhwebane.

Democracy in Action previously complained that Mlambo’s rulings on the Public Protector were “incoherent”.

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As day three of the Chief Justice interviews proceeds, it has become evident that the gloves are off as panellists throw some hard-hitting questions at Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo.

Judge Mlambo’s interview started well as he was firm and took the Judicial Services Committee (JSC) through his seven-pillar plan to lead the judiciary if appointed Chief Justice.

However, as soon as the question-and-answer session began, it was not Judge Mlambo’s plan that was brought into question but his character and integrity.

Most shocking were allegations of sexual harassment previously levelled against him and whether there was any merit to them.

It was advocate Dali Mpofu who raised concerns around the “whisperings” and questioned Judge Mlambo if “any victims would come out” if he is named the next Chief Justice.

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PART 2

Video: Timothy Bernard/African News Agency (ANA)

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PART 1

Justice Dunstan Mlambo is a veteran of the South African legal system. Picture: Timothy Bernard/African News Agency (ANA)

The search for South Africa's next Chief Justice continues today as the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) enters its third day of interviews with for the top job.

Justice Dunstan Mlambo - a veteran of the South African legal system - will be the third candidate to take the hot seat as he is expected to be grilled by the Commissioners on why he should be the next Chief Justice.

Over the last 30 years, Mlambo distinguished himself as a legal authority and as a former chairperson of Legal Aid South Africa. He has extensive experience in establishing and managing a legal aid system.

He was appointed Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court by former president Jacob Zuma effective from November 2012, succeeding Justice Bernard Ngoepe.

Mlambo stated in his CV that he had "devoted his practice of law towards the upliftment and protection of people on the ground as a public interest lawyer and trade union lawyer".

During a speech made shortly after he took office, he said he would ensure that "access to justice becomes what it should be".

However, during the round of public comments last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa received at least two objections against Mlambo’s possible appointment as the next Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.

Among the reasons cited for the objections were that he allegedly faced impeachment and imprisonment on eight counts of misconduct. He was accused of lacking ethics and allegedly demonstrating his contempt for the Constitution, the law and the truth.

The objections were submitted by Limpopo Legal Solutions, a non-profit organisation that advocates for human rights, and KZN-based advocate Anthony Brink.

Brink also accused the Judicial Conduct Committee of corruptly closing ranks around Mlambo as a ranking member of the JSC to protect him from being held to account, impeached and jailed for his alleged crimes and other misconduct.

At that time, acting spokesperson in the Presidency, Tyrone Seale, confirmed more than 500 objections and support letters were received for the candidates.

One of Mlambo’s most notable cases was in the 2014 Oscar Pistorius murder trial when he ruled that the entire trial proceedings may be broadcast live via audio and that parts of the trial may be broadcast live via television.

The ruling was welcomed by members of the South African media, who described it as a groundbreaking decision supporting freedom of expression, freedom of the media, open justice and democracy.

His reasons for allowing live broadcasting of the trial included dispelling perceptions that the rich and famous receive preferential treatment from the justice system, enabling public access to an unedited first hand account of the trial, and educating the public about criminal proceedings in general.

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Political Bureau