Johannesburg – The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has released a list of names of shortlisted candidates for various court vacancies and invited the public to comment on the individuals.
The selection process began on 5 May when the JSC published notices in the media calling for nominations of interested persons to fill vacancies in several courts.
The vacancies were at the Supreme Court of Appeal, Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court, Competition Appeal Court, Electoral Court, Land Court, Western Cape Division of the High Court, Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Gauteng Division of the High Court, KwaZulu–Natal Division of the High Court, and Northern Cape Division of the High Court.
The closing date for submission of nominations was 5 June 2026.
The JSC said the following candidates have now been shortlisted to be interviewed:
Supreme Court of Appeal (3 vacancies)
- Judge Gerald Hercules Bloem
- Judge Mokgere Busisiwe Shareen Masipa
- Judge Ingrid Opperman
- Judge Mmathebe Violet Phatshoane
- Judge Esther Johanna Sophia Steyn
Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court (One vacancy– Deputy Judge President) Judge Betty Maletsatsi Mahalelo
- Judge Graham Nasious Moshoana
Labour Appeal Court (2 vacancies)
- Judge Christina Prinsloo
- Judge Benita Whitcher
Labour Court, Durban (1 vacancy) and Labour Court, Johannesburg (One vacancy)
- Ms. Lindiwe Annastacia Gura
- Advocate Zodwa Dorah Maluleke
- Mr. Bongani Mgaga
- Mr. Bhavna Ramji
Competition Appeal Court (1 vacancy)
- Judge Mfuniselwa Elijah Nkosi
- Judge James Dumisani Lekhuleni
Electoral Court (1 vacancy of non-Judge member)
- No candidate (s) were shortlisted.
Land Court (2 vacancies)
- Ms. Diana Mabasa Mikateko
- Advocate Joyce Maluleke
- Advocate Sekgame Shadrack Tebeile
Western Cape Division of the High Court (3 vacancies)
- Dr. Michelle Fiona Adams
- Advocate Michael Walter Janisch SC
- Ms. Elzanne Mureen Jonker
- Advocate Ashley Henri Kantor SC
- Advocate Zuko Luvo Mapoma
- Professor Fareed Moosa
- Ms. Sharon Mthimunye
- Advocate Stanley Christopher O’Brien SC
Eastern Cape Division of the High Court (1 vacancy of Deputy Judge President)
- Judge Fathima Bibi Adam Dawood
- Judge Buyiswa Majiki
- Judge Vuyokazi Pamella Noncembu
- Judge Bulelwa Myra Pakati
Gauteng Division of the High Court (4 vacancies)
- Mr. Jan Petrus Allen
- Ms. Muvhango Antoinette Lukhaimane
- Judge Sandiswa Mfenyana
- Advocate Jacques Minnaar
- Mr. Matodzi Brian Nemavhidi
- Advocate Michelle Van Nieuwenhuizen
- Advocate Portia Limakatso Nobanda Mooti SC
- Dr. Ettian Raubenheimer
- Judge Frances Maria Magrietha Reid
- Advocate Sekgame Shadrack Tebeile
KwaZulu–Natal Division of the High Court (1 vacancy)
- Ms. Jennifer Mary Marion
Northern Cape Division of the High Court (1 vacancy)
- Adv Andries Daniel Olivier
- Ms. Janine Adele Snyders
- Advocate Tandisa Tyuthuza
“The shortlisted candidates will be notified of the venue, date and time of the interviews in due course,” said the JSC.
Law bodies and any persons who wish to comment on the suitability or otherwise of a shortlisted candidate should address their comments to the Secretariat of the JSC at MSongca@judiciary.org.za; SMthombeni@judiciary.org.za; MaBoke@judiciary.org.za; SiMthethwa@judiciary.org.za and copied to: JSC@judiciary.org.za.
Comments in respect of each candidate must be submitted on a separate page in both PDF and Word format and must reach the Secretariat by no later than 11 September 2026.
Comments received after 11 September 2026 will not be considered.
