Judges Matter raises concerns about vacancies at Electoral Court

Civil society organisation Judges Matter has raised concerns about vacancies at the Electoral Court ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

This follows the absence of Electoral Court interviews from the current Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interview round, taking place this week and next week.

Attorney and Judges Matter coordinator Alison Tilley, says while the lack of candidates is concerning, it is more important to appoint suitably qualified candidates than to fill vacancies without the right people.

She was speaking just before the JSC’s Supreme Court of Appeal interviews which started on Monday afternoon in Sandton, Johannesburg.

“What I can say is that we’d rather not have a shortlist if we don’t have a good shortlist. So, there is that but where there are these vacancies and there aren’t applications it always raises the question of why. Was it that people didn’t have enough notice that the position is open? Perhaps people didn’t want to apply because they were concerned about how they would be questioned. So, there are a couple of issues that we need to unpack and really make sure that there are good candidates.”

Video: JSC October interviews focus on SCA vacancies