Issued by: Office of the President
In view of media speculation following the appointment of Mr. Justice Sandile Ngcobo the Office of the President wishes to clarify the nature of the appointment of judges to the Constitutional Court.
The Judicial Service Commission has the task of putting before the President three names more than the number of appointments to be made, without making any particular recommendation. The President makes the appointment from the four submitted names after consultation with the President of the Constitutional Court and the leaders of all political parties represented in the National Assembly. The appointment is made in consultation with the Cabinet. In the case of the appointment of Mr. Justice Ngcobo to the Constitutional Court, Cabinet concurred unanimously with the President.
The speculation surrounding this appointment is unbecoming and without any basis in fact. To disparage the process for appointing judges without good cause is to recklessly undermine the legitimacy of an institution that is vital to the entrenchment of our democracy and the protection of human rights.
Issued by the Office of the President
1 June 1999
Enquiries: Parks Mankahlana
082 553 4569