Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa: South Africa has appointed two distinguished judges of Indian origin, Judge Mohammed Navsa and Judge Visvanathan Ponnan, to its Companies Tribunal, which functions under the Department of Trade and Industry.
The Companies Tribunal was created under the Companies Act No. 71 of 2008 with the objective of ensuring the prompt and effective resolution of corporate disputes. It has authority across the entire Republic of South Africa.
Judge Mohammed Navsa, aged 68, has played a key role in developing and managing a community law clinic. He dedicated 14 years to the Legal Resources Centre and served as its director from 1990 to 1994.
After Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994, Navsa was awarded senior counsel status. He later went on to serve as an Acting Judge of the Supreme Court.
Judge Visvanathan Ponnan, 64, began his judicial career at the Gauteng High Court in 2001 and was elevated to the Supreme Court of Appeal in December 2004.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a Commissioner for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration between 2000 and 2001 and also served as an acting judge in the Eastern Cape High Court in 2000.
In addition to Judges Navsa and Ponnan, the Cabinet has appointed Judge Kathleen Satchwell, Judge Robert Nugent, and Judge Boissie Henry Mbha as members of the Companies Tribunal.
Announcing the appointments, the Companies Tribunal released a statement praising the newly inducted members, stating that they are widely respected for their integrity, impartiality, and strong legal judgment. The statement highlighted their meaningful contributions to South Africa’s legal system, particularly in commercial law, administrative justice, and dispute resolution.
The Tribunal further noted that the collective expertise of the new members would strengthen its mission to provide accessible, efficient, and fair justice for businesses and stakeholders nationwide.
The statement also added that Tribunal Chairperson Judge Dennis Davis has expressed confidence that the new appointments will enhance the Tribunal’s legal standing, especially in handling and arbitrating company-related disputes.
