George Phatudi

Moletje George Phatudi (born 8 March 1959) is a South African judge who has been Judge President of the Limpopo High Court since 1 December 2023. He joined that court in July 2016 as a puisne judge. Before that, he was an advocate, attorney, and lecturer at the University of the North.

Early life and education Phatudi was born on 8 March 1959. He studied law at the University of the North, where he was president of the student representative council, completing a BJuris in 1984 and an LLB in 1988. He later completed an LLM at the University of Pretoria in 1995. and President Jacob Zuma confirmed their appointment with effect from 1 July 2016.

In 2017, Phatudi presided in a high-profile case involving Pastor Lethebo Rabalago, the so-called Doom Pastor, and his church, the Mount Zion General Assembly; he granted an interdict prohibiting the pastor from treating his congregants with Doom insecticide.

Nominations to deputy judge presidency Between February and June 2019, Phatudi stood in for Fikile Mokgohloa as acting Deputy Judge President of the Limpopo Division. though he withdrew from contention on that occasion,

Judge presidency In July 2022, the Judicial Service Commission announced that Phatudi was one of three candidates shortlisted for possible appointment to succeed Ephraim Makgoba as Judge President of the Limpopo Division. The other candidates were Legodi Phatudi and Maake Kganyago. Following the interviews in October 2022, the Judicial Service Commission recommended Phatudi for appointment.