The Limpopo Division of the High Court of South Africa is a superior court of law with general jurisdiction over the Limpopo province of South Africa. The main seat of the court in Polokwane opened on 25 January 2016.[1] The court also has local seats at Thohoyandou and Lephalale. Before the opening of the division, the Gauteng Division at Pretoria had jurisdiction over Limpopo and circuit courts sat at Polokwane.
| Limpopo Division of the High Court of South Africa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 23°54′45″S 29°27′14″E / 23.9124°S 29.4538°E | |
| Location | Polokwane (main seat), Thohoyandou, Lephalale (local seats) |
| Coordinates | 23°54′45″S 29°27′14″E / 23.9124°S 29.4538°E |
| Composition method | Presidential appointment on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission |
| Authorized by | Chp. 8 of the Constitution; Superior Courts Act, 2013 |
| Appeals to | Supreme Court of Appeal or Constitutional Court |
| Judge President | |
| Currently | George Phatudi |
| Since | 1 December 2023 |
| Deputy Judge President | |
| Currently | Violet Semenya |
| Since | 1 July 2021 |
History edit
Until 1994, the area that is now Limpopo was part of the Transvaal Province and was within the jurisdiction of the Transvaal Provincial Division (now the Gauteng Division). In July 1979 a High Court was established for the Venda bantustan. In September of the same year Venda became nominally independent from South Africa, and its court became the Supreme Court of Venda, although decisions of the court could still be appealed to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of South Africa. When Venda was reincorporated into South Africa in 1994 the court continued to exist, and when the current Constitution of South Africa came into force it became one of the High Courts. It was known as the Venda Division until 2009, when it received the name of "Limpopo High Court, Thohoyandou". In 2013, in the restructuring brought about by the Superior Courts Act, the court at Thohoyandou became a local seat of the Limpopo Division, with the main seat to be established at Polokwane.[2]
List of Judges President edit
- Ephraim Makgoba (2015–2022)[3]
- George Phatudi (2023–present)
References edit
- ^ Manyathi-Jele, Nomfundo (1 June 2016). "Limpopo High Court launched". De Rebus. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- ^ "Zuma signs new court bill". News24. Sapa. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ^ "A farewell function to honour Judge President Ephraim Makgoba". Polokwane Observer. 2022-12-16. Retrieved 2024-01-20.