Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo has withdrawn his decision to accept the extension of his term of office, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Radebe said President Jacob Zuma had accepted the decision.
"The chief justice said he had taken the decision in order to protect the integrity of the office of the Chief Justice and the esteem of the judiciary as a whole," said Radebe.
Ngcobo's term of office expires on August 14.
Radebe said Zuma would consult with the Judicial Service Commission.
Democratic Alliance justice spokesperson Dene Smuts said the fact that Justice Ngcobo would now step down at midnight on August 14 and not be available for the extension of his term proved precisely the quality of his judicial integrity and leadership.
"He's stepping down to protect the integrity of his office. It is unforgivable that things have been allowed to come to this path. It has only proved that he was the man we needed," Smuts said.
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