Key judicial positions now available: JSC

But contenders for the key posts will be known only once the short-listed candidates have been announced. The Constitutional Court position became available after former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo retired. Currently, the top court is operating with only 10 members.

Gauteng judge-president Bernard Ngoepe is due to retire in November. The province has two deputy judge-presidents: Phineas Mojapelo, based in Johannesburg, and Willem van der Merwe, also due to retire this year. Many in the legal fraternity think Judge Mojapelo should be the strongest contender to replace Judge Ngoepe. Two positions are available at the Supreme Court of Appeal - the highest court in non-constitutional matters - and the deputy judge-president position in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court, Business Day says. Other vacancies include one position in the Eastern Cape High Court and six openings in the Gauteng high courts.

There are vacancies at the Western Cape High Court, but the JSC did not advertise for this court - having suspended its Western Cape interviews in October, pending the outcome of its court case with the Cape Bar Council. The Council had successfully challenged the JSC's April 2011 interviews, saying its decision to recommend just one candidate for appointment (despite three vacancies and a number of suitable candidates) was irrational. The JSC reminded those interested in applying that the closing date was February 3. Interviews are scheduled for April.

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