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Ephraim Mampuru Makgoba (born 1 January 1953) is a South African retired judge of the High Court of South Africa. He was the inaugural Judge President of the Limpopo Division from 2015 to 2022, though he joined the bench in 2008 as a puisne judge of the Gauteng Division. Before he joined the bench, he was an attorney in Nelspruit and Polokwane.

Early life and education

Makgoba was born on 1 January 1953 at Ga-Mathabatha village, southeast of Polokwane in the former Northern Transvaal. He was one of eight siblings. He matriculated at Ngwana-Mohube High School and studied law at the University of the North, completing a BProc in 1977.

Legal career

After he was admitted as an attorney in February 1980, Makgoba worked at the firm of Henstock and Green while also lecturing in criminal law part-time at his alma mater. He moved to Nelspruit for a stint but returned to Polokwane in 1984 and practised there for the next two decades, first on his own account and then at the firm of Makgoba, Kgomo and Makgeleng Attorneys from 1993. He was also an acting judge in the High Court of South Africa on several occasions between 2000 and 2007.

Gauteng High Court: 2008–2015

On 19 November 2007, President Thabo Mbeki announced that Makgoba would join the bench permanently as a judge of the Transvaal Provincial Division (later the North Gauteng Division) of the High Court. He joined the bench on 28 January 2008, alongside Piet Meyer and two other new appointees. Thereafter he served in the Gauteng High Court for seven-and-a-half years, and he was an acting judge in the Competition Appeal Court in 2015.

Limpopo High Court: 2015–2022

In March 2015, the Judicial Service Commission announced that Makgoba had been shortlisted for the position of Judge President of the High Court's new Limpopo Division, which would take over the circuit in Limpopo Province (formerly served by the Gauteng Division). He was interviewed in Cape Town the following month alongside six other candidates, and the Mail & Guardian said that he "sailed through" the interview. The Judicial Service Commission recommended him for appointment, and President Jacob Zuma confirmed his appointment in June.

His appointment took effect on 1 August 2015, though it was not until January 2016 that the Limpopo Division was formally launched, with a seat at Polokwane. During his tenure in the judge presidency, he was the subject of several minor scandals, including multiple complaints against him at the Judicial Service Commission.

He retired in late 2022, with a farewell function in December attended by Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha.

Personal

Makgoba is married to Dorah Ramadimetja, with whom he has three children. He is Christian.

References

1. ^ "Pioneering Heads of Courts: Judge President Ephraim Mampuru Makgoba" (PDF). African Law Review. 1 (2): 22. 2018.
2. ^ "Backlog of trials biggest challenge in Lim's justice system". Polokwane Observer. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
3. ^ "T Mbeki on appointment of judges". South African Government. 19 November 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
4. "Judge E M Makgoba". Judges Matter. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
5. "Candidates shortlisted for judicial positions". News24. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
6. "Interviews held for judge president". Polokwane Observer. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
7. "Fame not a factor as JSC punts Makgoba as Limpopo top judge". The Mail & Guardian. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
8. "Makgoba recommended for Limpopo judge president". News24. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
9. Hartleb, Thomas (1 June 2015). "Zuma appoints 6 judges". News24. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
10. "President Jacob Zuma appoints judges to Superior Courts". South African Government. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
11. ^ "Law must serve the people – Lim's first judge president". Polokwane Observer. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
12. Manyathi-Jele, Nomfundo (1 June 2016). "Limpopo High Court launched". De Rebus. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
13. Maughan, Karyn (29 March 2021). "2 Limpopo judges claim judge president tried to 'influence' their ruling". News24. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
14. Chabalala, Jeanette (28 April 2022). "Shot or s**t? Judge President Ephraim Makgoba wants SCA to 'correct' its judgment that he swore in court". News24. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
15. Phakgadi, Pelane (29 June 2016). "Limpopo judge 'scares' lawyers". City Press. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
16. Chabalala, Jeanette (26 October 2022). "Judge president Makgoba ordered to apologise over 'intemperate' comments to Limpopo legal fraternity". News24. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
17. "A farewell function to honour Judge President Ephraim Makgoba". Polokwane Observer. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2024.

External links

• E. M. Makgoba at Judges Matter

• Living people
• 1953 births
• 20th-century South African lawyers
• 21st-century South African lawyers
• 21st-century South African judges
• Judges of the Gauteng High Court
• Judges of the Limpopo High Court
• University of Limpopo alumni
• People from Capricorn District Municipality