Connie Mocumie

Baratang Constance Mocumie (born 10 August 1965) is a South African judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Before joining the Supreme Court, she was a judge of the Free State High Court from March 2008 until June 2016. She is also a judge in the Military Court of Appeal and the primary South African liaison judge to the Hague Conference on Private International Law, and she was the president of the South African chapter of the International Association of Women Judges between 2010 and 2014. She began her legal career as a prosecutor and magistrate in the North West and Gauteng provinces.

Early life and education Mocumie was born on 10 August 1965 in Warrenton in the Northern Cape. Both of her parents were teachers, although her mother had begun her career as a domestic worker. After attending high school in Warrenton, Mocumie matriculated from St. Paul's High School in Taung and attended the University of Zululand, where she completed a BJuris in 1988. As a student in 1986, she was charged under the Riotous Assemblies Act for her participation in anti-apartheid protest during that year's state of emergency. she joined the bench in March 2008.

In April 2014, Mocumie was shortlisted and interviewed for appointment as Judge President of the Free State High Court, although none of her judgements had yet been reported. However, the Judicial Service Commission was unable to reach agreement on a recommendation, and the vacancy was re-advertised. Mocumie interviewed for the position again in October 2014, but, on that occasion, the Judicial Service Commission resolved to recommend Mocumie's colleague, Mahube Molemela, for the position.

Nonetheless, despite Molemela's appointment, Mocumie served as acting Judge President of the Free State High Court between April and May 2015. In the same year, she was appointed as a judge in the Military Court of the South African National Defence Force, a position she held for the next four years, and was also appointed as South Africa's primary liaison judge at the Hague Conference on Private International Law. which was confirmed by President Jacob Zuma in June 2016 with effect from 1 July. While in the Supreme Court, she continued to serve as a judge of the Military Court until 2019, when she was promoted to become a judge of the Military Court of Appeal. During her interview with the Judicial Service Commission, she discussed her ongoing role as liaison to the Hague Conference, urging Justice Minister Ronald Lamola – a member of the commission – to convey the urgency of participation to his department. The Judicial Service Commission recommended Zondi for the Electoral Court position.

Personal life Mocumie has two children. She speaks six South African languages.