Violet Semenya
Deputy Judge President of the Limpopo High Court | |
|---|---|
| Assumed office 1 July 2021 | |
| Appointed by | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Judge President | Ephraim Makgoba George Phatudi |
| Preceded by | Fikile Mokgohloa |
| Judge of the High Court | |
| Assumed office 30 January 2017 | |
| Appointed by | Jacob Zuma |
| Division | Limpopo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 October 1961 University of the North University of South Africa |
Matsaro Violet Semenya (born 17 October 1961) is a South African
Early life and education
Semenya was born on 17 October 1961
Legal career
Shortly after her graduation from the
In the magistrate's court, Semenya primarily heard
Limpopo High Court: 2017–present
In October 2016, Semenya was shortlisted for permanent appointment to the bench of the Limpopo Division. Although much of her interview was consumed by discussion of a lenient sentence she had handed a convicted rapist in the magistrate's court, the Judicial Service Commission recommended her for appointment, alongside Francis Kganyago,[3] and she took office as a judge on 30 January 2017.[1] She was the second female judge to be appointed to the Limpopo Division,[2] and she was the only sitting female judge in the court after Fikile Mokgohloa was elevated.[4]
In 2019, Semenya heard a traditional leadership dispute between the Thobejane family and the Limpopo Premier, which she dismissed after reversing herself on a point of non-joinder which she had formerly denied. The following year, the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld a decision against her judgement in Thobejane and Others v Premier of the Limpopo Province and Another, and the appellate judgment was highly critical of Semenya's handling of the matter.[1]
Deputy judge presidency
In February 2021, the Judicial Service Commission announced that Semenya was one of three candidates who had been shortlisted for possible appointment to succeed Mokgohloa as Deputy Judge President of the Limpopo Division. The other candidates were Thifhelimbilu Phanuel Mudau and George Phatudi.[5] Following interviews in April, the Judicial Service Commission recommended Semenya for the post,[6] and President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed her appointment with effect from 1 July 2021.[7]
Personal life
She has three adult children and is Christian.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d "JSC Candidates Ms Matsaro Violet Semenya". Judges Matter. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Gaisa, Nathi (April 2017). "Women in senior Limpopo Division posts" (PDF). Advocate. 30 (1): 21.
- ^ "Two judges each bound for Eastern Cape and Limpopo High Courts". Business Day. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ Monama, Tebogo (7 October 2021). "JSC decides not to recommend any of the Limpopo candidates for appointment as High Court judges". News24. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ "JSC shortlists candidates for judicial positions". News24. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ Hawker, Dianne (22 April 2021). "No country for women lawyers, but new judicial appointments offer hope". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ Matter, Judges (13 August 2021). "President appoints judges from April 2021 JSC interviews". Judges Matter. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
External links
- M. V. Semenya at Judges Matter
- Review by the Bar Council