The Grahamstown-based Legal Resources Centre has welcomed the recommendations by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for Grahamstown advocate Gerald Bloem to become a judge in the Eastern Cape High Court. Bloem, a former attorney at the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), has acted as a judge in high courts in the Free State and Eastern Cape.
The Grahamstown-based Legal Resources Centre has welcomed the recommendations by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for Grahamstown advocate Gerald Bloem to become a judge in the Eastern Cape High Court. Bloem, a former attorney at the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), has acted as a judge in high courts in the Free State and Eastern Cape.
In an emailed statement to Grocott's Mail, director of the LRC Sarah Sephton said, "The LRC is very proud of his achievement and wishes him all the best as a Judge.
"It is a great honour to serve on the Judiciary and we have no doubt that he will do his job very well."
Although a final decision to appoint Bloem will only be made by the President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma, experts in the field believe this is a formality.
"It is still going to go through the president for final approval, but it is highly unlikely that it won't be approved," said Sephton.
In a telephone conversation with Grocott's Mail, Bloem said he will talk to the media only when he receives a letter of confirmation from the President. Bloem, 55, was recommended alongside East London attorney Selby Mbenenge (53).
According to media reports the two were up against three other candidates for the positions.
The other candidates in the running for the positions were another Grahamstown advocate, Richard Brooks, East London attorney Thembekile Malusi and Port Elizabeth advocate Namawabo Msizi.
