The DA does not call into question the qualities of the Chief Justice, nor indeed the extension of the term of office of the Chief Justice in appropriate circumstances. However, the extension of Chief Justice Ngcobo's term - a decision that President Zuma made prematurely, given that Judge Ngcobo's term expires only in August 2011 - was performed in the absence of any public consultation, which is required whether by way of a debate in Parliament prior to the introduction of a specific Act in this regard or via the Judicial Services Commission. This cannot be condoned.