Justice Mahube Molemela said she would retire in the position, abandoning her earlier ambitions for a seat on the constitutional court
Molemela joined the appellate court four and half years ago and fills the vacancy left by Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya
The well-respected Western Cape high court judge was named after the April interviews where the JSC overlooked David Unterhalter a third time
The esteemed jurist had to apologise for failing to recuse himself on an application for leave to appeal to the constitutional court, sinking his hopes of a permanent position at the court
The sense that the commissioners who nominated five candidates for appointment to the Constitutional Court voted for their constituencies, rather than with their conscience, is difficult to shake off.
Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo protected the integrity of the process after it descended into politicking in April
This move comes after allegations that the initial deliberations to fill two vacancies at the apex court were compromised by blatant politicking
The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution argues that politicking tainted the Judicial Service Commission’s selection process
Judges Fayeeza Kathree-Setiloane, Jody Kollapen and Bashier Vally complete the list, while Dhaya Pillay fails to make the cut
Acting Constitutional Court Justice Rammaka Mathopo told the JSC it was ‘remiss’ that female and black lawyers were still underrepresented