Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma has met with political party leaders represented in Parliament and briefed them on several domestic and international matters concerning the country.
SA's new membership in the Brazil, Russia and China grouping, as well as the peace process in Ivory Coast and Libya formed part of the briefing.
Zuma thanked the political leaders for the successful manner in which local government elections were held, something that "emphasised the country's maturing democracy."
The President said the meeting had enabled him to brief the parties on his decision to retain Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo "in active service as the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa."
Ngcobo was appointed as judge on 15 April in 1996 and on 15 August 1996, was appointed Constitutional Court Judge and subsequently appointed Chief Justice on 12 October two years ago.
"On 15 August 2011, Chief Justice Ngcobo would have held office as judge and Constitutional Court Judge for a cumulative period of 15 years and three months. A judge of the Constitutional Court must serve 12 years at the Constitutional Court if he or she had served a minimum of three years as a judge at another court before he or she was appointed to the Constitutional Court. Chief Justice Ngcobo falls under this category," said Zuma.
Such a scenario, he said, allowed the President to request the Chief Justice to continue in service.
He said that Ngcobo, who agreed to the request, would continue to work with effect from 16 August for the next five years.
At the helm of the judiciary, Zuma said Ngcobo had made "an indelible mark in this prestigious and highly esteemed office."
"He continues to play a significant role in establishing institutional reforms that seek to define the role and place of the judiciary within the context of judiciary independence and separation of powers embodied in our Constitution.
"There is general optimism and renewed hope, especially within the judicial and legal sector that the initiatives undertaken by the government and the judiciary will accelerate the pace of judicial reform.
The President said that he was confident that his decision to retain Ngcobo would promote the "maintenance of stability and progress with this important branch of the state."
Assisted by Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke and "all leadership of the judiciary", Zuma said that Ngcobo would continue to provide judicial leadership and guidance.
