PRETORIA, South African President Jacob Zuma has written to political parties represented in the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, on his intention to appoint a judge of the Constitutional Court, the Presidency says.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) earlier this month interviewed candidates to fill a vacancy in the Constitutional Court.

On Tuesday, President Zuma’s office announced that in accordance with section 174 (4) of the Constitution, he had written to political leaders informing them of his intention to appoint a judge of the Constitutional Court.

After due process, the JSC has submitted four names for the President’s consideration and President Zuma is in the process of giving consideration to the candidates from the list with a view to appointing one of them as a Judge of the Constitutional Court, the Presidency said in a statement.

The four candidates are Justice Narandandram Jody Kollapen; Justice Stevan Arnold Majiedt; Justice Leona Valerie Theron and Justice Malcolm John David Wallis.

In pursuant of section 174(4), the President as the Head of the National Executive, after consulting with the Chief Justice and the leaders of the parties represented in the National Assembly, appoints the Judges of the Constitutional Court, said the Presidency.

(Eds note: The Constitutional Court of South Africa is the supreme constitutional court of the country and has jurisdiction to hear any matter if it is in the interests of justice for it to do so).

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK