South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the head of the appeals court, Mandisa Maya, as the country’s deputy chief justice - becoming the first woman to occupy the position.
Her appointment is effective from 1 September.
The presidency has tweeted the announcement:
Justice Maya accepted the nomination by the president to the position in March, after being interviewed for the chief justice position.
Raymond Zondo, then the deputy chief justice, was appointed the chief justice while she was nominated to deputy chief’s justice position pending an interview for the position later.
Last month she was an only candidate interviewed for the position after which the country's Judicial Service Commission announced it would advise the president to appoint her.