Condolences pour in for Judge Sandi

‘A virtuous man of principle with an eye for detail in his practice of law and on the Bench’

THE Cape Law Society expressed its sadness at the recent passing of Eastern Cape High Court Judge Bonisile Sandi.

He was an activist and a human rights lawyer during the struggle against apartheid like colleague on the Bench Essa Moosa, who died of cancer two weeks ago.

“We extend condolences to the family of the late Judge Bonisile Sandi, his friends and colleagues. Among many other attributes and virtues, Justice Sandi was, and remained, an activist lawyer.

“Those who resisted and waged war against the white supremacist policy of apartheid and white domination will recall that he availed his services to those who were arrested and detained for waging war against apartheid,” said president of the Cape Law Society Mbulelo Jolwana.

He said Judge Sandi, as an attorney, made a deliberate choice to associate himself with the struggle against oppression and embarked on an often dangerous path of making a modest, but very important, contribution to the liberation of the people of South Africa.

“Judge Sandi will be remembered as a virtuous man of principle with an eye for detail in his practice of law, both at the side Bar and on the Bench.”

He added that Sandi’s expertise and counsel would have been invaluable during an uncertain period for the legal fraternity under the Legal Practices Act.

Earlier Eastern Cape Judge President Themba Sangoni also expressed his condolences, saying: “Judge Sandi was first appointed to the Bench in an acting capacity in the year 2000 at the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court. In 2001 he was permanently appointed as a High Court Judge, a position he held until his passing.”

Judge Sandi had also acted as a judge in the Labour Court in 2012. His career on the Bench spanned 16 years.

“In the passing of Judge Sandi, the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, and indeed the entire South African judiciary, has lost a legal mind who served the bench with humility and dedication.

“The South African judiciary will miss his honourable service. May his family, relatives and loved ones be comforted during this time of grief. May his soul rest in peace.”