Raymond Mnyamezeli Mlungisi "Ray" Zondo (born 4 May 1960) is a South African judge who is currently serving as Chief Justice of South Africa since 2022 and Chancellor of the University of Zululand. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Zondo as South Africa's new chief justice with effect from 1 April 2022.[1] He served as acting Chief Justice from 11 October 2021, when Mogoeng Mogoeng retired, until 31 March 2022. [2]
Raymond Zondo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 22nd Chief Justice of South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 1 April 2022 Acting: 11 October 2021 - 31 March 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appointed by | Cyril Ramaphosa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Mandisa Maya | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Mogoeng Mogoeng | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5th Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 7 June 2017 – 31 March 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Justice | Mogoeng Mogoeng | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Dikgang Moseneke | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Mandisa Maya | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairperson of the Zondo Commission | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 21 August 2018 – 1 January 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appointed by | President Jacob Zuma | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Commission established | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Commission abolished | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chancellor of the University of Zululand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office April 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vice-Chancellor | Xoliswa Mtose | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Jacob Zuma | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Raymond Mnyamezeli Mlungisi Zondo 4 May 1960 Ixopo, Natal, Union of South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Citizenship | South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence(s) | Johannesburg, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of Zululand (BJuris) University of Natal (LLB) University of South Africa (LLM) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation |
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| Profession | Lawyer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early life edit
Zondo was educated at St Mary's Seminary in Ixopo, the University of Zululand and the University of Natal, where he completed his LLB. He was admitted as an attorney in 1989 and practised as a partner in Mathe & Zondo Inc. Judge Zondo received a Master of Laws in commercial law, a Master of Laws in labour law, and a Master of Laws in patent law at the University of South Africa.
Judicial career edit
In 1997 he was appointed a judge of the Labour Court,[3] and in 1999 he was appointed to the Transvaal Provincial Division of the High Court (later the North Gauteng High Court, now the Gauteng Division).[4] In 2000 he was elevated to Judge President of the Labour Court,[4] a post in which he served for ten years.[5] In 2010 he returned to the Pretoria High Court.
From November 2011 to May 2012, Zondo served as an acting judge of the Constitutional Court. He was permanently appointed with effect from September 2012[6] and is now considered a key member, with Chris Jafta, of the Court's conservative wing.[7] In June 2017, President Jacob Zuma appointed Zondo to the office of Deputy Chief Justice, succeeding Dikgang Moseneke who retired in 2016.[8] On 10 March 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Zondo as the new Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, effective 1 April.[9]
Commission of Inquiry into State Capture edit
Shortly after taking office in 2018, Ramaphosa approved an inquiry into allegations of corruption during the previous Jacob Zuma government administration,[10][11] stating that "This is the year in which we will turn the tide of corruption in our public institutions".[12] Zondo was appointed as presiding judge for the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, leading to its popular name, the Zondo Commission. Hearings began on 20 August 2018[13] and were expected to last for two years.
References edit
- ^ Oelofse, Louis. "South Africa's Ramaphosa appoints new Chief Justice | DW | 10.03.2022". DW.COM. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ https://www.concourt.org.za/index.php/13-current-judges/72-deputy-chief-justice-ray-zondo
- ^ "The Labour Court: The judges of the Labour Court" (PDF). Consultus. 11 (1). General Council of the Bar: 27. May 1998. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ a b "New judges" (PDF). Advocate. 13 (2). General Council of the Bar: 13. 2000. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ "Raymond Zondo appointed as ConCourt judge". Mail & Guardian. SAPA. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ Maharaj, Mac (14 August 2012). "President Zuma appoints Ray Zondo to ConCourt" (Press release). The Presidency. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ Tolsi, Niren (18 October 2013). "Applause for Mogoeng's judicial cadenza". Mail & Guardian.
- ^ "President Zuma appoints Justice Zondo as Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic". The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
- ^ Gerber, Jan (10 March 2022). "Ramaphosa appoints Zondo as Chief Justice". News24. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ "Our Mandate".
- ^ "CW urges public to help commission fulfil mandate". 10 January 2018.
- ^ "Full text: President Ramaphosa's maiden SoNA". 19 February 2018.
- ^ "State capture commission almost up and running". 28 May 2018.
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