Justice Madlanga Retires After 12 Years at Constitutional Court
The Constitutional Court held a special ceremony on Thursday morning to honor Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga as he retires after twelve years of service. Chief Justice Mandisa Maya led the event, which was attended by important figures from the legal community and government.
Justice Madlanga’s journey began in the rural village of Njijini in the Eastern Cape. He attended Mariazell High School and studied law at the University of Transkei, earning his Bachelor’s degree. He furthered his education at Rhodes University and received an LLM in Human Rights and Constitutional Law from the University of Notre Dame in the United States.
Madlanga started his career as a lecturer at the University of Transkei before joining the Mthatha Bar. At just thirty-four, he became one of South Africa’s youngest judges when appointed to the High Court. He later served as an Acting Justice of Appeal and as the Judge President of the Mthatha High Court.
In 2013, Madlanga was appointed to the Constitutional Court, where he focused on important issues like land rights, corruption, women’s rights, and electoral law. This morning, the court heard a significant case involving Nkosana Makate, the inventor of the “please call me” product. The Constitutional Court granted Vodacom leave to appeal a previous ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal that favored Makate. The apex court set aside the SCA’s judgment and directed that the matter be returned to the SCA for further examination.
Madlanga presided over the case as part of his final duties on the bench. He was recognized for his contributions to the judiciary, with Chief Justice Maya noting his elite judgments and commitment to justice.
Now at sixty-three, Justice Madlanga is preparing for a new role as chairperson of the judicial commission of inquiry into alleged corruption and political interference within the police service. This appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa reflects his ongoing dedication to justice in South Africa. The commission was established following serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Justice Madlanga’s retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in South Africa’s legal history, but his impact will continue to be felt in the years to come.
