Get ready, because newly appointed chief justice Mandisa Maya is stepping into the top judicial seat filled with unresolved pressing issues from her predecessor Raymond Zondo. As Zondo’s term expires on August 31, Maya will have her hands full come September 1.
Some of the burning issues Maya will inherit include the independent administration of the judiciary, following up on the state capture inquiry findings, and implementing the sexual harassment policy. These crucial matters are still on Zondo’s desk, leaving Maya to pick up the baton and run with it.
Legal experts emphasize the urgent need for the judiciary’s administration to be more independent, with judges having a say in budget decisions currently made by external government entities. Despite Zondo’s efforts to address these issues before departing, time constraints have left the tasks unfinished.
It’s evident that Maya’s term will kick off with a whirlwind of challenges, but with her expertise, she is poised to tackle them head-on and pave the way for a more efficient and autonomous judiciary.