Chief Justice highlights need to balance independence and accountability

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has highlighted the need to balance judicial independence with accountability.

She was delivering the keynote address at the J20 Constitutional Courts and Supreme Courts Summit in Sandton, Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Maya told delegates that it is critical that measures are put in place to guide the judiciary’s conduct and promote ethical behavior within its ranks.

 J20 Summit | Chief Justice Mandisa Maya welcomes delegates

She says the judiciary had long been unhappy with the lack of control over its administrative functions and budget.

“Judicial independence does not mean that the institution stands above scrutiny and is exempted from accountability. The questions who will guard the guards themselves and how the guardians should be guarded are necessary in any constitutional democracy, and it is essential, therefore, that in every judicial system, accountability mechanisms are put in place to ensure that judges and magistrates remain personally and institutionally accountable for their actions and decisions in compliance with constitutional and other legal standards.”

LIVE | Chief Justice Mandisa Maya’s keynote address at J20 Summit https://t.co/fIEUHnYWrk pic.twitter.com/RY5hYpH2Bn

— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 3, 2025