Ngcukaitobi was not satisfied.
“Obviously you do not need to be friends, but it is worrisome that there is this level of disagreement between the two of you. It’s either you have made a false claim in saying you are the de facto ADJP or your [comprehension] of what you do is not the same as hers, which would be a more neutral way of putting it.
“But it does appear that your relationship is not as positive as you suggest, otherwise the two of you would be singing from the same hymn sheet at this point.”
Mankge said: “What I can say is that on serious issues that have to do with justice I know we have one mind. I am certain. Commissioner Ngcukaitobi, you do not have a reason to worry, I know the JP’s work ethic.
“I am not her friend, we are colleagues who have a shared work vision. That much I know, she can at least admit to that. I have been working closely with her for the past three years. There will be no problem.”
Maya said she had the same concerns as Ngcukaitobi.
“I have the exact same impression that he seems to have of your relationship with the JP. It’s palpable to anyone in this room that there is something not quite right. Maybe I should let it go.”
Asked what the role of the deputy judge president is, Mankge said: “The role of the DJP is to support the JP like I have been doing. It is not only to support her in terms of work but now I am talking to sisterhood. I will support you and encourage you.”
Mankge impressed some of the judges by having no reserved judgments and a track record of delivering 200 judgments. She had been a high court judge since 2019 and spoke confidently about her belief in making courts accessible to poor areas, especially high courts.
On backlogs of criminal cases, which also affected some of her judgments, Mankge said the problem was not within the judge’s control, pointing out delays caused by availability of legal representatives.
“I am now left with egg on my face because the private counsels are always not available during the recess periods. What I am comforted about is that in both those matters, the accused person is a sentenced criminal and the other matter the accused person is on bail. However, I am not saying the cases should not be dealt with speedily. If we can have a continuous roll that would be of assistance.”
Mankge was a prosecutor and a magistrate for seven and nine years, respectively.
After deliberations, Mankge was not recommended. The committee recommended that the acting DJP, judge Takalani Ratshibvumo, be appointed.
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