President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed senior lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi as an acting judge to South Africa’s Constitutional Court. The news was confirmed on May 3, 2026.
Who is he?
-
Age: 49
Advertisement -
Based in Johannesburg
-
First Black advocate directly appointed from the Bar (as a practicing lawyer) to the country’s highest court.
-
Became a senior counsel in 2020.
-
Specializes in constitutional and public law.
What notable cases has he worked on?
-
Represented the EFF in the Nkandla scandal case against former President Jacob Zuma.
-
Acted for victims of the Marikana massacre.
-
Helped stop Shell from seismic blasting on the Wild Coast.
-
Represented President Ramaphosa in the CR17 campaign funding case.
-
Served on South Africa’s legal team at the International Court of Justice in the case against Israel over Gaza.
Why is this appointment getting attention?
-
Supporters praise his role in high-profile accountability cases.
-
Critics question the timing, especially with the upcoming Phala Phala judgment.
-
Some worry about judicial independence and strategic appointments.
-
His past work for both the EFF and President Ramaphosa has sparked debate.
Timeline of events
-
Late April 2026: President Ramaphosa appoints Ngcukaitobi.
-
May 3, 2026 (00:00): Sunday Times publishes the story.
-
May 3, 2026 (04:42 GMT): TimesLIVE shares the news on X (formerly Twitter).
-
May 3, 2026 (morning): Reactions and debate grow on social media.
Who commented?
Ngcukaitobi and the chief justice’s office declined to comment. The president’s spokesperson has not responded publicly.
