Law Society pays tribute to Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng
The Law Society of South Africa wishes outgoing Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng well as his tenure at the helm of the highest court of the country came to an end at Midnight on Monday.
“The Chief Justice was a great leader; he was a principled man who brought significant reform to the judiciary. His appointment brought a lot of criticism levelled against him with some suggesting that he was captured or positioned by the former president. Accusations, he totally dispelled and proved everyone wrong,” says LSSA President, Jan van Rensburg.
According to the Constitutional Court, Justice Mogoeng was appointed to the Constitutional Court in 2009 and two years later elevated to the position of Chief Justice in September 2011. In that capacity, he led both the Constitutional Court and the judiciary. He also chaired the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI) Council and the National Efficiency Committee. In April 2017, Justice Mogoeng was elected as the president of the Conference of the Jurisdictions of Africa for a period of two years.
“During his term of office, we saw such an entrenched judicial accountability and enforcement of the norms and standards. He highlighted the importance of delivering judgments within a reasonable timeframe. He brought accountability of judges and led by example,” Mr van Rensburg adds.
“We wish Justice Mogoeng a peaceful retirement. We thank him for his outstanding performance,” Mr van Rensburg concludes.
Last week, the names of eight members of the judiciary were selected from the South African public’s submissions for the new Chief Justice. South Africans are now invited to submit any objections they may have regarding the nominees. The Nominations Panel (chaired by Judge Navi Pillay) will consider objections before submitting a shortlist of three to five names to the President. The Panel is required to report to the President by Friday, 29 October 2021.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, JAN VAN RENSBURG
LSSA Communications:
Nomfundo Jele | nomfundom@lssa.org.za Tel: (012) 366 8800 or 072 402 6344
