Former Eastern Cape Judge President Justice Clement Temba Sangoni has passed on following a short illness on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office confirmed.
In a media statement released on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said Sangoni’s death is a big loss to the judiciary.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted with sadness the passing of former Judge President of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Justice Clement Temba Sangoni. Judge Sangoni retired in 2017 and passed away earlier today, Tuesday, 10 June 2025, after a short illness,” said Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
Senior traditional leader
“President Ramaphosa offers his condolences to the extended family of the late Judge Sangoni Aah! Dilizintaba, who was a senior traditional leader of the Qokolweni-Zimbane Traditional Council at Mthatha,” said Magwenya.
Ramaphosa said Sangoni not only served the country as a judge but also served the people of the Eastern Cape as a senior traditional leader.
“The passing of Justice Sangoni is a devastating loss to his family and immediate community. And it is a profound loss to our judiciary and our legal heritage. Judge Sangoni lived for justice and the improvement of the material conditions of communities in the Eastern Cape and elsewhere. He did this through constitutionally sound, progressive jurisprudence,” said Ramaphosa.
“Under his leadership, the judiciary in the Eastern Cape also applied its mind collectively and individually to matters pertaining to the development of this economically vital province.
People’s servant
“Judge Sangoni served the people of the Eastern Cape from the bench and through his deep involvement in community life in his role as a traditional leader — a role that enriched his adjudication of a broad range of matters placed before the courts,” said Ramaphosa.
“We will continue to appreciate his contribution to the rule of law and the wisdom of law in our country. As well as to the communities in which he lived and served with distinction.
“May his soul rest in peace,” concluded Ramaphosa.
