The South African Judiciary has sent condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Judge Bhekisisa Mnguni who died on Tuesday.
On behalf of the South African Judiciary, Judge President Achmat Jappie – Judge President of the KwaZulu Natal Division of the High Court, on Wednesday passed his condolences to the family and friends of the late Judge Bhekisisa Mnguni.
Judge Mnguni passed away on 7 September 2020.
Judge President Jappie said the Judges and staff of the KwaZulu Natal Division were “shocked to learn of the sudden and untimely passing of Judge Mnguni”.
He said Judge Mnguni would be fondly remembered as a benevolent person.
“Judge Mnguni was a dedicated and astute jurist, who was known for his dedication to the rule of law, and will be remembered fondly for his kind and welcoming spirit,” said Judge President Jappie.
“His untimely death robs us of the opportunity to experience his future contribution to the Judiciary.”
Judge Mnguni was permanently appointed to the High Court in January 2009.
Before his elevation to the Bench, he worked as an attorney from 1994-2008.
He graduated from the University of Zululand with BLuris and LLB degrees.
At various times throughout 2007 and 2008 he was appointed as an Acting Judge in the KwaZulu Natal Division of the High Court.
And during his tenure as a Judge of the Division, he acted as a Deputy Judge President of the KwaZulu Natal Division of the High Court in 2016.
Earlier this year he was appointed as the Acting Judge President of the Competition Appeal Court.
In July, Judge Mnguni made headline news when he declined a request by former president Jacob Zuma’s lawyers to stop his arrest that had been ordered by the Constitutional Court.
Subsequently, Zuma was jailed at the Estcourt Correctional Centre, where he was to serve 15 months for contempt of court. However, Zuma was granted medical parole at the weekend.
“Judge Mnguni’s loss will be deeply felt by his colleagues and the staff in the KwaZulu Natal Division of the High Court,” said Judge President Jappie, adding that the Judiciary extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife, his children, family, and friends.
The memorial service and funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.