Kubayi appoints new Chief Magistrates and a Regional Court President
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has filled five senior magistracy posts across Mpumalanga, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, effective from 1 November 2026.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has appointed a new Regional Court President and four Chief Magistrates, according to SAnews. The Magistrates Commission recommended the appointments, which took effect on 1 November 2026.
Who has been appointed
The following appointments were announced:
- Ms T L L Nyambi as Regional Court President for the Mpumalanga Regional Division, based in Mbombela
- Mr B Vogel as Chief Magistrate in Geberha
- Ms CB Bhoola as Chief Magistrate in Palm Ridge
- Mr IKhallil as Chief Magistrate in Durban
- Ms A van der Merwe as Chief Magistrate in Mbombela
What the department says
Deputy Minister Andries Nel, who has been delegated responsibility for Magistrates’ Courts and the magistracy, said in a statement that Regional Court Presidents and Chief Magistrates play leadership roles in their regions and districts. He said they oversee court operations and direct how caseloads are allocated, and called their leadership “crucial for a well-functioning justice system”.
Nel said effective management and streamlined processes by these leaders help courts function better, reduce trial backlogs and limit delays.
Minister Kubayi welcomed the appointments and said they would significantly improve the capacity and efficiency of the courts. She congratulated the new office-bearers and said they bring a wealth of experience, adding that their appointments “improve access to justice and bolster public confidence in our courts”.
Kubayi also repeated the department’s commitment to a single, unified judiciary that includes the magistracy, as well as to a fully judicial-led court administration model.
What this means for ordinary South Africans
The appointments will not change anything overnight for people who use the courts. Chief Magistrates and Regional Court Presidents run the day-to-day operations of the courts in their areas, including how cases are shared out. Court users in Mbombela, Geberha, Palm Ridge and Durban, and across the Mpumalanga Regional Division, will now deal with new leadership.
The department says the aim is to reduce backlogs and delays. Whether that happens will depend on how the new office-bearers manage their courts in the months ahead. The department’s statement did not include any specific targets or timelines.
This story is based on reporting by SAnews.
