Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has announced the appointment of Justice Ray Zondo as the Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa with immediate effect.

The Presidency on Wednesday said the position of Deputy Chief Justice became vacant as a result of the retirement from active service of Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Dikgang Moseneke.

“Justice Zondo comes to the position of Deputy Chief Justice with enormous experience in the broader legal profession,” said the Presidency.

Prior to being appointed as a Judge, Justice Zondo practised for many years as a human rights and labour lawyer, having begun his career as an articled clerk under the late Mrs Victoria Mxenge.

Justice Zondo also served on several commissions and committees, including the Goldstone Commission of Inquiry regarding the Prevention of Violence and Intimidation as well as the Ministerial Task Team, which was established in 1994 to draft the Labour Relations Bill for post-apartheid South Africa.

Justice Zondo was appointed as a Judge of the Labour Court in November 1997. In 1999, Justice Zondo was appointed as a Judge of the then Transvaal Provincial Division of the High Court. In 2000, Justice Zondo was appointed as Judge President of the Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court for a period of 10 years.

After completion of his ten year term of office as Judge President of the Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court in 2010, Justice Zondo returned to the North Gauteng Division of the High Court as a Judge of that court. Justice Zondo was appointed as Acting Judge of the Constitutional Court with effect from November 2011 until 31 May 2012. He was appointed as a Judge of the Constitutional Court in September 2012.

“President Zuma wishes Justice Zondo all the best in his new and important responsibility of advancing our constitutional democracy,” said the Presidency. - SAnews.gov.za