Justice Ramaka Steven Mathopo

Date of Birth

28 January 1963

University

B.Proc (University of the North), 1985

History at the Court:

Appointed: 1 January 2022

Brief biography

Justice Mathopo attended school at Mokomene High School, in Botlokwa, Limpopo and obtain a B.Proc at the University of the North.

Justice Mathopo practiced as an attorney from 1986 until 2006, first completing his articles at SC Mhinga Attorneys, and thereafter opened his own firm in 1989, Mathopo Attorneys. He operated Mathopo attorneys until he was appointed as a judge of the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court.

Justice Mathopo was was appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2015, on which court he served until his appointment to the Constitutional Court.

Justice Mathopo acted on the Constitutional Court between August and November 2019, and again from 1 February 2020 to 30 November 2020.

Justice Mathopo was recommended for appointment to the Constitutional Court in April 2021, however, after the Judicial Service Commission proceedings at which he was recommended were challenged, the interviews were re-done in October 2021. Justice Mathopo was again recommended, and then appointed by President Ramaphosa.

JSC Interviews

October 2021 Interview, after which Justice Mathopo was recommended for appointment
April 2021 interview, after which Justice Mathopo was recommended for appointment – although the interviews where re-done in October 2021

Justice Mathopo’s application for the Constitutional Court is available here:

Mathopo J Constitutional Court ApplicationDownload

Selection of Judgments