City attorney ready for JSC
KWAZULU-NATAL attorney Sifiso Msomi said yesterday he was ready to take up the nomination to serve on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
However, he was unwilling to comment further until appointments had been confirmed.
Msomi, advocate Thandi Norman, SC, and advocate Thabani Masuku, were named by the Presidency as the members President Jacob Zuma was considering for the JSC.
Norman and Masuku could not be reached for comment.
Zuma announced the withdrawal earlier this month of advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza SC‚ advocate Ismael Semenya SC and Andiswa Ndoni.
Their withdrawal sparked strong criticism, with the EFF describing the move as an attempt to capture the judiciary.
This was dismissed by Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development John Jeffery‚ who said members nominated by the president served until they were replaced by others.
He said the trio had served on the commission for eight years.
A partner at Durban-based Shepstone & Wylie law firm, Msomi specialises in property law. He is a member of the Black Lawyers Association and has previously served as it deputy chairman. He holds law degrees from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Norman was the chairperson of the commission that probed the deaths and injuries to aspirant traffic officers in KwaZulu-Natal in 2012. She holds law degrees from the University of Transkei.
Masuku, former head of Advocates for Transformation, is known for championing transformation in the judiciary. He was evidence leader in the Claasen inquiry probing the fitness to hold office of national police commissioner Riah Phiyega.