Office of the Chief Justice Vacancies
The Office of the Chief Justice is an equal opportunity employer. When filling vacant positions, we follow the objectives of section 195(1)(i) of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996, as well as the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act 55 of 1998) and our departmental Human Resources policies. We give preference to women, people with disabilities, and youth.
Closing Date: 21 November 2025
Important Notes for Applicants: All applications must be submitted using the new Z83 form, which you can download from www.justice.gov.za or www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp, or get from any Public Service Department. Include a recent comprehensive CV with contactable referees (include telephone numbers and email addresses). Submit your documents as a single PDF file. Only shortlisted candidates will need to provide certified copies of qualifications and other documents on or before the interview date, as instructed by Human Resources.
Complete the Z83 form fully, sign it, and initial both pages. Clearly state the job title, office, and reference number from the advert. Incomplete, unsigned, or uninitialed forms will be disqualified. Old Z83 forms will not be accepted. If you have a foreign qualification, include a SAQA evaluation certificate. Dual citizens must provide a police clearance from their country of origin (non-SA citizens shortlisted will need proof of permanent residence).
Applications not meeting these requirements will not be considered. Shortlisted candidates will undergo personnel suitability checks (criminal record, financial, qualification, citizenship, reference, and employment verification). Only shortlisted candidates will receive correspondence. If you do not hear from us within three months of the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful. We reserve the right not to fill any positions.
Late applications or those missing required documents will not be considered. Successful candidates must sign an employment contract and performance agreement within three months of appointment and undergo security clearance within three months. The Office of the Chief Justice follows the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act No. 4 of 2013. We use your personal information only for recruitment purposes related to the position you apply for. Unsuccessful applications will be kept for internal audit purposes. Provide all requested information, or your application may be void. We protect the security and confidentiality of your information.
Erratum: For the internship programme in circular 40, reference 2025/297/OCJ, email to 2025/297/[email protected]. For reference 2025/298/OCJ, email to 2025/298/[email protected].
Post 41/141: Handyman (Ref No: 2025/310/OCJ)
Salary: R163 680 – R192 810 per annum (Level 03). The successful candidate will sign a performance agreement.
Location: Western Cape Division of the High Court, Cape Town
Requirements: ABET or Grade 10 (or equivalent qualification). A valid driver’s license is required. You need three years of experience as a handyman or general worker in areas like plumbing, electrical work, repairs, and maintenance. A trade test certificate in plumbing, electrical, bricklaying, carpentry, or mechanical fields will be an advantage.
Skills and Competencies: Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Ability to operate power tools. Familiarity with MS Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel). Understanding of office administration, building infrastructure layouts, public service legislation, and Batho Pele principles. Strong communication (verbal and written), problem-solving, public relations, monitoring, analytical, computer literacy (including MS Teams), planning, organizing, report writing, typing, and customer service skills. You should be self-managing, motivated, creative, team-oriented, ambitious, time-conscious, assertive, and flexible.
All shortlisted candidates will complete a pre-entry practical exercise to assess suitability for the technical and generic requirements of the post.
Duties: Perform minor general building maintenance and repairs. Handle small plumbing, electrical, bricklaying, mechanical, carpentry, and other handyman tasks. Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly building inspections to spot faults, breakages, and maintenance needs. Report unauthorized equipment movement. Assist with general tasks, including driving judges’ vehicles for repairs, servicing, washing, airport drop-offs and pick-ups, and purchasing office goods.
Enquiries: Technical: Ms N Chwethiso at (021) 480 2411. HR: Mr RAF Wesso at (087) 106 1775.
Applications: Email to 2025/310/[email protected]
Note: Preference will be given to candidates aligning with departmental employment equity goals.
Post 41/140: Handyman (Ref No: 2025/309/OCJ)
Salary: R163 680 – R192 810 per annum (Level 03). The successful candidate will sign a performance agreement.
Location: Free State Division of the High Court
Requirements: ABET or Grade 10. Relevant experience is required. You must be semi-skilled in trades like plumbing, electrical, bricklaying, carpentry, or mechanical work. Be willing to learn other trades and maintain physical health. A trade certificate in any of these areas is an advantage.
Skills and Competencies: Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and power tool operation. MS Office proficiency (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel). Understanding of office administration, building layouts, public service laws, and Batho Pele principles. Strong communication (verbal and written), problem-solving, public relations, monitoring, analytical, computer literacy, planning, organizing, report writing, typing, self-management, motivation, creativity, teamwork, ambition, time management, assertiveness, and flexibility.
All shortlisted candidates will complete a pre-entry practical exercise to assess suitability.
Duties: Provide handyman services at the court. Relocate office equipment as needed. Coordinate disposal or repair of damaged furniture. Ensure safety when using equipment. Fit globes, fix plugs, unblock toilets, basins, and drains. Install doors and locks. Comply with Occupational Health and Safety Act and departmental standards. Oversee equipment deliveries. Perform minor building maintenance. Report breakages to supervisors for landlord repairs. Repair office equipment. Handle minor plumbing, electrical, and carpentry tasks. Fix water leaks and ensure safe electrical systems. Conduct weekly, monthly, and quarterly building inspections. Accompany landlords and contractors during maintenance. Record inspections and maintenance logs.
Enquiries: Technical: Ms IM Seakge at (051) 492 4523. HR: Ms D Peters at (051) 492 4523.
Applications: Email to 2025/309/[email protected]
Note: Preference will be given to youth candidates aligning with departmental employment equity goals.
Post 41/139: Usher Messenger (Ref No: 2025/308/OCJ)
Salary: R163 680 – R192 810 per annum (Level 03). The successful candidate will sign a performance agreement.
Location: KwaZulu-Natal Local Division of the High Court, Durban
Requirements: ABET or equivalent at NQF Level 4. No experience required. A driver’s license is an advantage.
Knowledge and Skills: Clerical duties, data capture, computer operation, statistics collection. MS Office proficiency (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel). Office administration, public service legislation, Batho Pele principles. Communication (verbal and written), problem-solving, public relations, monitoring, analytical, computer literacy (MS Teams), planning, organizing, report writing, typing, customer service, self-management, motivation, creativity, teamwork, ambition, time management, assertiveness, and flexibility.
All shortlisted candidates will complete a pre-entry practical exercise.
Duties: Provide administrative support to judges and courtrooms. Escort judges to and from court and assist in chambers with counsel. Maintain order in courtrooms before judges enter. Organize court crew and inform them of start times per the daily roll. Ensure silence when judges enter or leave. Check motion court rolls, make copies, and distribute as needed. Maintain courtroom records: arrange criminal and civil files, report missing files, file/archive documents and registers. Facilitate smooth court operations: assist with scheduling (e.g., opposed motions), arrange case representations, negotiate courtroom allocations with judges. Collect and distribute court files: sort, check, secure, and circulate rolls.
Enquiries: Technical: Ms K Marias at (031) 492 5502. HR: Ms SZ Mvuyana at (031) 493 1723.
Applications: Email to 2025/308/[email protected]
Note: Preference to candidates aligning with Employment Equity goals.
Post 41/138: Senior Court Interpreter (Ref No: 2025/307/OCJ)
Salary: R325 101 – R382 959 per annum (Level 07). The successful candidate will sign a performance agreement.
Location: Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, Mbombela
Requirements: (Note: Specific requirements not detailed in the provided content, but duties imply language proficiency in relevant languages for court interpretation.)
Duties: Provide interpreting services in various matters including Children’s Act, criminal and civil proceedings, Domestic Violence Act, Older Persons Act, Family, Protection from Harassment Act, Labour, Maintenance Act, Child Justice, Inquests, quasi-judicial, small claims courts, disciplinary hearings, conciliation, arbitration, confessions, pre-trial, and consultations. Liaise with supervisors for foreign language interpreters. Interpret from source to target language in court, pre-trial, consultations, including non-verbal gestures, dramatizations, and confessions. Confer with judiciary on interpreter performance.
Provide legal, quasi-judicial, and language services: Ensure clear, accurate interpretation without additions or omissions, control speakers, interpret citations correctly, handle non-verbal elements.
Translate legal documents and exhibits: Analyze source documents, research, consult parties, translate accurately, edit/revise, translate audio materials.
Develop terminology and support record reconstruction: Build terminology database, populate glossaries, gather trial documents, handle recordings, compare notes with presiding officer, state, and defense.
Enquiries: Technical: Ms E Smith at (013) 758 0000. HR: Mr SJ Zwane/Mr MV Maeko at (013) 758 0000.
Applications: Email to 2025/307/[email protected]
Note: Preference to candidates aligning with Employment Equity goals.
Post 41/137: Law Researcher (Ref No: 2025/306/OCJ)
Salary: R468 459 – R551 823 per annum (Level 09). The successful candidate will sign a performance agreement.
Location: Gauteng Division of the High Court, Johannesburg
Requirements: Grade 12 Certificate and LLB Degree (NQF Level 8). Minimum two years in relevant field. Valid driver’s license. Superior court or litigation experience is an advantage. Three years’ legal research experience is also an advantage.
Skills and Knowledge: Basic Conditions of Employment Act, labour laws, departmental policies. Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, Labour and Labour Appeal Court Rules, Practice Manual, Employment Equity Act. South African law and judicial system, legal interpretation/application, Batho Pele. Communication (verbal/written), problem-solving, decision-making, research, analytical, report writing/editing, financial management, strategic, presentation, planning/organizing, computer literacy (Word, PowerPoint, Excel). Applied strategic thinking, budgeting, communication management, customer focus, developing others, diversity management, impact/influence, conflict resolution, networking, project management, team leadership.
All shortlisted candidates will complete a pre-entry practical exercise.
Duties: Support legal research for judges and court officials: Research legal issues, statutes, rules, case law; analyze principles and summarize for judges; assist in hearing/trial preparation; retrieve and analyze materials from hard copy/electronic sources.
Prepare legal opinions: Analyze litigants’ arguments, research precedents, provide recommendations, draft memos.
Support judgment drafting: Review/proofread drafts for clarity/accuracy, correct spelling/grammar, verify references/footnotes, use track changes.
Keep judges updated on developments: Monitor legal journals, legislation, case law; track changes, precedents, trends.
Enquiries: Technical: Ms Dlomo at (010) 494 8341. HR: Ms T Mbalekwa at (010) 494 8515.
Applications: Email to 2025/306/[email protected]
Note: Preference to candidates aligning with departmental employment equity goals.
Post 41/136: IT Coordinator (Ref No: 2025/305/OCJ)
Salary: R468 459 – R551 823 per annum (Level 09). The successful candidate will sign a performance agreement.
Location: Free State Provincial Service Centre
Requirements: Grade 12 and National Diploma in Computer Engineering/Information Technology (or equivalent at NQF Level 6 with 360 credits, SAQA-recognized). Minimum three years in general IT desktop support. ITIL Foundation Certificate is an advantage. Driver’s license is an advantage.
Skills and Competencies: Project/systems management, network administration, help desk/first-line support. Government prescripts, user training manuals, budgeting, end-user training evaluation, public sector IT, LAN/WAN, project/change management, IT asset management. Communication (written/verbal), problem-solving, analytical, coaching, interpersonal, training/presentation, planning/organizing, decision-making, technical, computer, project management, customer service, time management, multitasking, pressure-handling, flexibility, confidence, deadline-meeting, accountability, attention to detail, assertiveness.
All shortlisted candidates will complete a pre-entry practical exercise.
Duties: Optimize business applications and transversal systems province-wide; ensure system availability and correct software installation (e.g., antivirus). Update user spreadsheets, manage profiles on servers. Maintain IT assets, oversee hardware lifecycle, comply with asset policy. Assess ICT infrastructure, report findings, identify upgrade needs/solutions.
Assist with virtual hearings/meetings (Teams/Zoom), provide recordings. Issue scrapping certificates for out-of-warranty equipment. Participate in disposal committees. Respond to IT support requests, escalate as needed, monitor helpdesk calls per SLA. Configure workstations for LAN/WAN access. Monitor/report on external provider work, track LAN faults. Manage IT service providers: Ensure SLA compliance, escalate issues, liaise with stakeholders, facilitate system rollouts, monitor repairs.
Provide reports: Monthly ICT reports to DCO, schedule provider meetings, inventory/warranty reports for equipment.
Enquiries: HR/Technical: Ms N de la Rey at (051) 492 4523.
Applications: Email to 2025/305/[email protected]
Note: Preference to candidates aligning with departmental Employment Equity goals.
We wish you all the best with your applications.