Incoming Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo, says deepening the independence of the judiciary is one of his key targets for his term as leader of the South African judiciary and Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.<\/P>
On Thursday, the Acting Chief Justice conducted a wide ranging interview with members of the media.<\/P>
Zondo is expected to begin his term as Chief Justice at the beginning of April following his appointment to the position by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 10 March.<\/P>
Due to the 12 year restriction on terms of office for justices of the Constitutional Court, the incoming Chief Justice will be in the position for at least two years \u2013 a fact Zondo says he is acutely aware of.<\/P>
\u201cWhen I look at what I want to achieve, I\u2019ve got to look at the time I have. I have got to be realistic. I will achieve the things I\u2019ve identified within this period but I will also be seeking to lay the foundation for any other things that may be long term.<\/P>
\u201cIf I could ensure that by the time my term of office ends the judiciary of South Africa has attained that institutional independence, I\u2019ll be very happy because the independence of the judiciary is critical to sustaining our constitutional democracy. We might be here today but at some stage we won\u2019t be here but if we leave behind a judiciary that is truly independent then we can have peace that our democracy will be protected,\u201d the incoming Chief Justice said.<\/P>
Criticisms of the judiciary<\/P>
Zondo said although members of society are entitled to have their views on the judiciary, serious allegations of misconduct or criminality \u2013 which can be backed up by evidence \u2013 on the part of any member of the judiciary should be reported to the Judicial Conduct Committee.<\/P>
The Judicial Conduct Committee conducts enquiries into complaints against members of the judiciary.<\/P>
\u201cThe allegations that the judiciary is captured are very serious allegations, they should not be made lightly by anybody because it is not in the interest of anybody who loves this country to portray our Judiciary as captured. If anybody has got any evidence that any judge is captured or the judiciary is captured, they must come forward.<\/P>
\u201cIn the past, allegations have been made that there were certain judges who received money in order to decide cases in certain ways. The former Chief Justice [Mogoeng Mogoeng] spoke publicly and said please anyone who has evidence supporting those allegations must come forward. Up to now, I\u2019m not aware of anybody who has come forward with evidence of that. It is wrong to make allegations\u2026when there is no evidence,\u201d he said.<\/P>
Zondo said criticisms of the judiciary do not necessarily equate to a loss of confidence in the work of the judicial arm of the state.<\/P>
\u201cI\u2019m not sure that it\u2019s correct to say the people have lost confidence in the judiciary. I think generally speaking, the judiciary enjoys a lot of confidence among the people of South Africa. Of course, there may be some elements of society who, for one or other reason, may have lost confidence.<\/P>
\u201cBut one of the things that I would be trying to do is to send a message that this judiciary that we have is an independent judiciary. It is going to continue to strive to make sure that its independence is respected. It is going to make sure that in making decisions\u2026it does so without fear, without favour, without prejudice,\u201d he said.<\/P>
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC)<\/P>
Answering questions on what the future relationship between himself as chief justice and the JSC will be, Zondo said he has full confidence in the commission\u2019s ability to work together.<\/P>
This after the commission did not recommend Zondo for the position of the next Chief Justice and placed him as the last preferred candidate for the top job.<\/P>
As Chief Justice, Zondo will be expected to now chair the JSC.<\/P>
The incoming Chief Justice batted away any insinuations that any tensions or personal disagreements will factor into the committee\u2019s work.<\/P>
He emphasised that in his work as the Acting Chief Justice over the past nine months, none such tensions have arisen.<\/P>
\u201c[The JSC] performed their functions in the way they performed them, they made the decisions they have made. When I chair the proceedings, I believe that everybody will be committed to the performance of our functions in a proper manner.<\/P>
\u201cI have absolutely no doubt in my mind that now that the President has made the decision that he has made, all members of the JSC will work very well with me. I have no doubt in my mind that I will work very well with them,\u201d Zondo said.<\/P>
The appointment<\/P>
Turning to the day that he was confirmed as South Africa\u2019s next top judge, Zondo said he was informed directly by President Ramaphosa of his appointment.<\/P>
Zondo said following this confirmation, his acute awareness of the \u201cresponsibility\u201d of the job was heightened.<\/P>
\u201cI think I felt what I can call the heaviness of the responsibility that comes with this kind of appointment, but I was happy that I was appointed. My mind quickly moved to what might lie ahead and the responsibility that comes with this position.<\/P>
\u201cI felt honoured because I do think that it\u2019s an honour to be appointed as a judge in the first place. But to be appointed as the chief justice of the country is a special honour. It gives one the opportunity to serve the people in a very special way,\u201d he said.<\/P>
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Source: South African Government News Agency<\/P>
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