Josephus Johannes Francois "Joos" Hefer (born 21 December 1931) is a South African judge and former Acting President of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa.[1]

Joos Hefer
Acting President of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa
In office
2002–2003
Preceded byOffice established (position, until December 2001, had the title of Chief Justice)
Succeeded byCraig Howie
Acting Chief Justices of South Africa
In office
2001–2001
Succeeded byposition replaced by President of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa
Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa
In office
1984–2001
Chief Justice of the Transkei High Court
In office
1981–1984
Preceded byGeorge Munnik
Succeeded byT. H. van Reenen
Judge of the Natal Provincial Division
In office
1976–1981
Personal details
Born
Josephus Johannes Francois Hefer

(1931-12-21) 21 December 1931 (age 92)
Brandfort, Union of South Africa
Alma materUniversity of the Orange Free State
ProfessionAttorney, Advocate

Early life and education

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Hefer was born in Brandfort, in the Free State and matriculated in 1949 in Bloemfontein. He studied at the University of the Orange Free State and obtained his BA degree in 1953 and LLB in 1955. In 1995 he obtained an LLM degree from UNISA.[2]

Career

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Hefer practised as an attorney from 1955 to 1957 and joined the Free State Bar in 1957, where he practised until 1975. He became a senior advocaat in 1972 and during the same year he first act as a judge in Bloemfontein. He also acted as a judge at the Northern Cape Division in Kimberley, the South West Africa Division in Windhoek and Durban & Coast Local Division in Durban.

On the 1st of February 1976, Hefer was appointed judge in the Natal Provincial Division and in August 1981, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Transkei High Court. Two years later he was appointed acting judge of appeal in Bloemfontein and in 1984 he was permanently appointed as judge of appeal. During 2001 he acted as chief justice until his retirement in December 2001.[2] However, at the request of the Minister of Justice, Hefer was appointed as acting President of the Supreme Court of Appel from January 2002 to 31 December 2002.[1]

In 2003, Hefer was appointed by President Thabo Mbeki to chair the commission of inquiry into allegations of spying made against National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka.[3]

Honours and awards

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Hefer was awarded an honorary LLD from the University of the Free State.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Supreme Court of Appeal: History". www.supremecourtofappeal.org.za. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Names in the news" (PDF). Advocate. 16 (1): 28. 2003 – via General Council of the Bar of South Africa.
  3. ^ "Hefer to head inquiry over Ngcuka spy claim". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 11 March 2021.