Cape town: The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has shortlisted candidates for various courts around the country. The commission had called for nominations for persons to fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, Land Court, Labour Court, and various Divisions of the High Court.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Constitutional Court advertised two vacancies, attracting six candidates. However, only five were deemed eligible for shortlisting. This situation has prompted the JSC to re-advertise the two vacancies, as there could be a shortfall if one candidate does not make the final list to be recommended to the President. The advertisement was published on 18 July 2025, with a closing date of 6 August 2025, and interviews are scheduled for the October 2025 sitting.
Moreover, the vacancy at the Land Court has been withdrawn, pending the finalization of the new judicial establishment of the Land Court in terms of the Land Court Act 6 of 2023.
The shortlisted candidates for various positions are as follows:
For the Supreme Court of Appeal (one vacancy): Judges Gerald Hercules Bloem, Busisiwe Shareen Masipa, Pitso Ephraim Molitsoane, Thandi Victoria Norman, Bashier Vally, and Leonie Windell.
For the Labour Court (three vacancies in Johannesburg): Suzanna Harvey.
In the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court (Deputy Judge President): Judges Buyiswa Majiki, Mandela Makaula, and Bulelwa Myra Pakati.
For three vacancies in the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court (Makhanda and Mthatha): Gaynor Appels, Nolubabalo Cengani-Mbakaza, Advocate Nicola Molony, Professor Nomthandazo Patience Ntlama-Makhanya, and Aron Sipho Zono.
In the Free State Division of the High Court (one vacancy): Advocate Denise Greyling-Coetzer and Matodzi Brian Nemavhidi.
For eight vacancies in the Gauteng Division of the High Court: Advocate Thembi Precious Bokako, Advocate Lesibana Gemine Philemon Ledwaba, Advocate Sarita Liebenberg, Judge Daphney Mahosi, Advocate Khashane La Mmapowana Manamela, Nkosingiphile Goodness Ma-Myeni Mazibuko, Advocate Keitumetse Johanna Mogale-Makinta SC, Richard James Austin Moultrie, Advocate Ettian Raubenheimer, Advocate Karin Strydom, Stephens Anthony Thobane, Advocate Petrus Arnoldus Van Niekerk SC, Livhuwani Betty Vuma, and Advocate Susan Melissa Wentzel.
For five vacancies in the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court: Malizo Samkelo Gwagwa, Sanele David Hlatshwayo, Advocate Ranjiv Rajkumar Nirghin, Advocate Murray Breval Pitman, Advocate Mpumelelo Prosper Sibisi, Nomfundo Sipunzi, and Judge Namhla Thina Yvonne Siwendu.
In the Limpopo Division of the High Court, Polokwane (one vacancy): Advocate Solomon Shami Teboho Kholong and Karin Leanne Pillay.
For two vacancies in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, Middleburg: Lerato Jane Nontando Bam, Advocate Solomon Shami Teboho Kholong, Advocate Daniel Desi Mogotsi, and Advocate Kganki Frans Phahlamohlaka.
The interviews for these candidates will be conducted from 6 to 17 October 2025. Law bodies and individuals wishing to comment on the suitability of any shortlisted candidate should address their comments to the Secretariat of the JSC at [email protected] and [email protected], with a copy to [email protected]. Comments must be submitted on separate pages in both PDF and Word format and must reach the Secretariat by no later than 5 September 2025, as comments received after this date will not be considered.