OCJ

The Office of the Chief Justice has alerted South Africans to bogus online pages pretending to be the Chief Justice, stressing that she has no personal or official presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter/X, or TikTok, as preparations gear up for key interviews next week.

Alert on Impersonation Sparks Calls for Vigilance

The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) has warned the public of fake social media accounts falsely claiming to be that of Chief Justice Mandisa Maya. In a statement released on 17 July 2025, the OCJ made it clear that these profiles are not real and could lead to scams or misinformation. “We wish to categorically state that Chief Justice Maya does not have any personal or official social media accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter/X or TikTok,” the OCJ said.
People are advised to stay away from these accounts, as engaging with them might put personal information at risk or spread false news. “It is not advisable to engage with any social media accounts/profiles claiming to be that of Chief Justice Maya,” the OCJ said in a short statement. The public is urged to report the fake profiles. If someone gets a message that seems to come from the Chief Justice but looks dodgy, they should check it by emailing mediaenquiries@judiciary.org.za. “If any communication is received, purported to be from the Chief Justice, the authenticity of which seems questionable, the legitimacy thereof may be confirmed by contacting the email address mediaenquiries@judiciary.org.za,” the statement read.
This is not the first time the Chief Justice’s name has been misused online. Back in January 2025, the OCJ raised concerns about a scammer pretending to be her personal assistant on WhatsApp, reaching out to high-ranking officials for shady reasons. The impostor used the messaging app to contact people, which led to a quick warning from the office. Impersonating a judicial officer like this is a serious crime, and the OCJ has pointed out that such acts can lead to legal trouble. These fake profiles often pop up to trick people into sharing money or details, taking advantage of the Chief Justice’s respected position.
Chief Justice Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa Maya, born on 20 March 1964 in Tsolo, Eastern Cape, made history as South Africa’s first female Chief Justice. She was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 1 September 2024, after serving as Deputy Chief Justice and in various high court roles. Her journey started with a BProc from the University of Transkei in 1986, followed by degrees from the University of Natal and Duke University in the US. Over the years, she has broken barriers as the first black woman judge in the Eastern Cape High Court in 2000, the first woman Deputy President and President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, and now leads the judiciary with a focus on integrity and access to justice. Recently, her office responded to claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about judicial wrongdoing, denying any bias and calling for evidence. These incidents highlight how public figures like her become targets for online fraud, especially in a digital world where fake news spreads fast.
Upcoming Interviews for Electoral Commission Vacancies
Meanwhile, candidates vying for appointment to the Electoral Commission will be interviewed from next week. “A panel chaired by the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, comprising the Public Protector, the chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality and the chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, established in terms of section 6 of the Electoral Commission Act, 1996, will, on 21 and 22 July 2025, interview shortlisted candidates for three vacancies in the Electoral Commission,” the OCJ said.
“Members of the media and the public are encouraged to follow the interviews on the Judiciary YouTube channel which will live stream the interviews,” the OCJ said. This open process lets everyday South Africans watch and stay informed about who might join the body that runs the country’s elections. The panel, led by Chief Justice Maya, will pick from a shortlist of 12 people to fill spots left open after recent changes. Nominations started in April 2025, with the deadline pushed to June after calls for more time. The public had until 9 July 2025 to comment on the candidates’ suitability, showing a push for transparency.

Meet the Shortlisted Candidates

The shortlist, released on 18 June 2025, features a mix of judges, advocates, academics, and election experts. Here is a closer look at each one, based on their backgrounds and skills that could help keep South Africa’s elections fair and smooth:

1. Judge Dhaya Pillay: A respected judge with experience in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court, known for handling complex cases on human rights and constitutional matters. Her legal expertise could bring a strong focus on upholding electoral laws.
2. Judge Mjabuliseni Isaac Madondo: He has served as a public prosecutor, commissioner at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), Deputy Judge President of the KwaZulu-Natal High Court, and acting justice at the Constitutional Court. His broad judicial career highlights skills in dispute resolution, key for election challenges.
3. Ms Joyce Palesa (listed as Ms J Pitso): She worked as deputy manager of electoral matters for the IEC in KwaZulu-Natal, handling operations, training, and party liaison since 1994. Her hands-on experience in running elections makes her a practical choice for the role.
4. Dr Rajendran Govender: Holds a PhD in Social Anthropology and has over 40 years in education, cultural affairs, and community leadership. He is a commissioner at the CRL Rights Commission and developed leadership programmes for African countries. His work on social cohesion could help in diverse voter outreach.
5. Mr Granville Abrahams: With 27 years at the IEC, he is the general manager of electoral operations and helped set up systems in the Western Cape. He has degrees in commerce and training in digital transformation, ideal for modernising voting processes.
6. Advocate Geraldine Chaplog-Louw: Boasts 27 years in senior IEC roles, overseeing elections since 1994, with qualifications in law, accounting, and governance. Her deep insider knowledge ensures smooth operations.
7. Mr Mosotho Moepya: Former IEC chairperson from 2018 to 2023, he led the body through major polls and now chairs the Electoral Reform Panel. His leadership experience is a big plus for continuity.
8. Advocate Richard Khothatso Sizani: Ex-chairperson of the Public Service Commission, lecturer in constitutional law, and member of the Constitutional Assembly. In May 2024, he became chairperson of the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel, bringing reform ideas.
9. Dr Robert Leslie Martin: Over 20 years in higher education management, with a PhD in Entrepreneurship; former deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Venda. His strategic skills could aid in IEC’s planning.
10. Mr Nkosikhulule Nyembezi: A policy analyst and human rights activist, he co-chaired the National Coordinating Forum and contributed to inquiries on political killings. His non-party profile adds impartiality.
11. Ms Jacqueline Liberty: Experienced in parliamentary administration, developing policies and training for staff and members. Her governance know-how supports electoral oversight.
12. Ms Sibongile Sigodi: Former head of legal services in the Presidency and at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Her legal background strengthens compliance efforts.

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