Twist in judge interviews

IN A surprise twist, the Judicial Service Commission said late yesterday it was unable to recommend a deputy judge president for the KwaZulu-Natal High Court despite interviewing four candidates.

Judge Mjabuliseni Madondo, who was widely expected to get the nod, faced tough questions from Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, one of the commission’s commissioners.

The announcement was made after a two-hour closed meeting.

Commission spokesmen CP Fourie and Ishmael Semenya SC said none of the candidates got the required number of votes.

Commissioners praised Judge Madondo’s humble beginnings as a farm labourer and role as a peacemaker in his home region of Msinga. But there was a tense exchange with Mr Malema, who was “not happy” with the judge’s answer on the separation of powers doctrine — separation of the executive, legislature and judiciary.

Mr Malema also asked how he and Judge President Achmat Jappie would “complement” each other, as “you both look old”.

He said judicial leadership teams such as the ones at the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal, tended to have an older person who “build(s) the one coming” and a younger one “who is energetic and can run around”.

“I look at you, I look at the judge president; and I can’t say, ‘Here is the future’,” said Mr Malema.

Judge Madondo, 62, said he and Judge Jappie would work together to groom the younger generation.

Judge Kate Pillay, who appeared to impress commissioners with her gender activist background, said while there had been African leaders in KwaZulu-Natal’s judiciary, there had never been a woman. Women made up 60% of the province’s population, she said, so it was important KwaZulu-Natal had a female judicial leader.

Judge Greg Kruger had a short but pleasant interview.

I look at you, I look at the judge president; and I can’t say, ‘Here is the future’