JSC recommends Aubrey Ledwaba as Gauteng Judge President

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has recommended Gauteng Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba for appointment as the next Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court.

Ledwaba was the sole candidate for the position and was interviewed by the JSC in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Tuesday.

The JSC confirmed that its recommendation will now be forwarded to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who will make the final decision on the appointment.

His nomination comes despite being implicated in testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where allegations were raised that he accepted a bribe in the bail appeal of KT Molefe. Ledwaba has denied these claims.

Molefe had initially been denied bail by the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court in April 2025. He was later re-arrested on additional charges, including the murder of DJ Aupa Sefoka, widely known as DJ Sumbody. After a subsequent bail denial at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, Molefe approached the Johannesburg High Court.

The High Court granted Molefe R400,000 bail, ruling that he had demonstrated exceptional circumstances that justified his release in the interest of justice.