Hon Speaker, in my address to the National Press Club on 6 August 2009, I announced my decision to nominate Justice Sandile Ngcobo as the new Chief Justice. I further said that the nomination was subject to advice from the Judicial Service Commission, JSC, and leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly.
Section 174(3) of the Constitution requires the President as head of the national executive, after consulting the JSC and the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly, to appoint the Chief Justice.
The statement made to the National Press Club was based on the understanding that letters addressed to leaders of parties, which I signed on 5 August, had been dispatched, as was the case with the letter to the