On 19 November 2020, 11 candidates were interviewed by the Committee. The interviews were chaired by commissioner Mbalo and the commissioners present on the day were commissioners Sidlova, Dyantyi, Tengeni, Mokoena and Makamu. The cluster heads present on the day were Mr Thulare for Cape Town, Mr Mokgoro and Ms Raphahlelo. The interviews were for Cape Town, Vredenburg and Robertson (HOO). Some candidates were also interviewed for other courts which they had been shortlisted for, being East London, Mossel Bay, Clanwilliam (HOO) and Phuthadithjaba.
The training of magistrates formed a huge part of the interviews for the Western Cape. Mr Thulare provides training to magistrates and most of the candidates who were before the Committee to be interviewed acknowledged that they had been formally trained by Mr Thulare.
In addition to the training of magistrates, the core values of the constitution formed the first question for each candidate interviewed on this day. Some candidates were surprisingly unable to adequately answer the question relating to the core values of the constitution. It should be general knowledge for all judicial officers that the core values of the constitution are found in chapter one and section one of the constitution. This section provides that the republic of South Africa is one, sovereign, democratic state founded on human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms. The republic of south Africa is also founded on the values of non-racialism, non-sexism and the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law.
South Africa’s history is based on injustice due to the apartheid era. However, in 1994 this changed, and the constitution is evidence of this change. Constitutional values created a new South African identity for all, based on justice, equality, freedom and dignity. Constitutional values also ensure ease of life for all citizens of South Africa and these values are the bedrock for the fair dispensation of justice. All judicial officers ought to know what the core values of the constitution are.