Judge Richard Goldstone will retire from the bench in October next year, when he turns 65.
Goldstone has served as a judge for 24 years and achieved worldwide recognition for his work on the war crimes tribunal at the International Court of Justice in the Hague following the fall of Yugoslavia.
President Thabo Mbeki has the authority to allow the retirement of judges on reaching the age of 65 years, if they have served for not less than fifteen years.
Goldstone’s office confirmed the request for retirement came from the judge himself, who said he had no intention of taking any other full-time position. He wished to spend more time on his other interests, including teaching and writing. – Sapa