Quick Read
- The Judicial Service Commission has recommended Aubrey Ledwaba for the permanent position of Gauteng Judge President.
- The nomination proceeds despite testimony at the Madlanga Commission linking Ledwaba to a R2.5 million bribe from a crime boss.
- Final approval for the appointment now rests with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
JOHANNESBURG (Azat TV) – The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has officially recommended Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba to lead the Gauteng Division of the High Court, a decision that comes despite lingering corruption allegations tied to the ongoing Madlanga Commission. The recommendation, announced Tuesday, positions Ledwaba as the frontrunner for the country’s busiest judicial division, pending final authorization from President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Madlanga Commission Shadow
Ledwaba’s candidacy has been heavily overshadowed by testimony delivered last October at the Madlanga Commission. During those proceedings, a witness alleged that suspected crime boss Katiso “KT” Molefe paid R2.5 million to secure his release on bail in a matter presided over by Ledwaba. Throughout his interview with the JSC, Ledwaba faced rigorous questioning regarding these claims, which commissioners described as a dark cloud hanging over his potential appointment.
JSC Deliberations and Judicial Stability
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya directly challenged Ledwaba during the proceedings, questioning whether the commission should wait for a formal exoneration from the Madlanga Commission before proceeding with the promotion. Ledwaba maintained that delaying his appointment would not serve the interests of justice. Following a lengthy session, the commission determined that Ledwaba had engaged substantively with the allegations, effectively clearing the path for his recommendation. Alison Tilley of the judicial watchdog group Judges Matter noted that because no formal complaint has been lodged against Ledwaba directly with the JSC, the legal hurdles for his permanent appointment remain minimal.
The Road to Confirmation
Ledwaba, who has served as deputy judge president for 13 years, has been acting in the role following the appointment of Justice Dunstan Mlambo as Deputy Chief Justice. While the JSC has signaled its support, the final authority to appoint the head of the Gauteng division rests with President Ramaphosa. Ledwaba has publicly stated he is prepared to appear before the Madlanga Commission again to clear his name, asserting that the allegations against him are unfounded.
The decision by the JSC to proceed with the nomination despite active, unresolved corruption allegations reflects a priority on institutional continuity within the Gauteng judiciary, likely intended to prevent a leadership vacuum in the country’s most critical legal division while signaling confidence in the candidate’s ability to withstand external scrutiny.