Natal provincial division Deputy Judge President Thabane Jali has resigned and will probably vacate his chambers at the end of February, Judge President Vuka Tshabalala said.
”He has got a better offer — in the private sector I think,” Tshabalala told the South African Press Association.
Jali had informed the Justice ministry in a letter which was expected to be conveyed to President Thabo Mbeki, who appoints judges.
Jali was appointed to his post in May last year.
Jali had been tagged by Sunday Times legal affairs analyst Carmel Rickard as a possibility for hearing the forthcoming politically charged Jacob Zuma corruption trial.
He most recently headed a lengthy presidential commission of inquiry into corruption and conditions at South Africa’s prisons.
At his interview for the post last year he was quoting as saying, ”We still don’t have suitable African women in the division. In the judiciary, white males are still in the majority.”
The Judicial Services Commission has scheduled interviews for candidates to replace Jali for April 3 to 6 in Cape Town, with February 17 as the closing date for nominations. – Sapa