The founding group behind the campaign.

Alaric K. Amos is a distinguished legal practitioner and judicial officer whose career spans more than three decades of service to the South African justice system. Since 1988 his work has been characterised by a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, the fair administration of justice, judicial integrity, and the practical application of legal principles in the service of justice.

He began his legal career in 1988 as a Prosecutor in the Department of Justice, where he served until 1997, progressively occupying positions of increasing responsibility as District Prosecutor, District Control Prosecutor, Regional Court Prosecutor, and Regional Court Control Prosecutor. That experience gave him a strong foundation in criminal law and procedure, courtroom practice, case preparation, advocacy, and the administration of criminal justice.

Mr Amos was appointed as a Magistrate on 1 April 1997 and has since developed extensive experience in the adjudication of criminal, civil, and family law matters. He has served as Head of Office at the Stellenbosch Magistrates' Court and as Acting Senior Magistrate at Stellenbosch, roles requiring sound judicial judgment together with effective leadership, court administration, and case-flow management.

Having served first as a prosecutor and thereafter as a judicial officer, he understands the justice system from different professional perspectives and appreciates the challenges confronting litigants, accused persons, legal practitioners, prosecutors, court staff, and judicial officers. His more than three decades of continuous service have afforded him considerable institutional knowledge of the lower courts and the challenges facing judicial officers.

As a member of JAG, Mr Amos brings an exceptional combination of prosecutorial experience, judicial expertise, court administration, and practical leadership, grounded in a demonstrated commitment to fairness, impartiality, accountability, and the rule of law.

Mxolisi Bebula is an accomplished judicial officer serving as a Magistrate within the Nelson Mandela Bay Cluster at Kariega, formerly Uitenhage. He presides over criminal and civil matters, maintenance proceedings, domestic violence and harassment matters, traffic court cases, inquests, and other lower court functions.

He obtained his law degree from Vista University, Port Elizabeth Campus, and began his legal career at the Athlone Justice Centre of the former Legal Aid Board. He later served in the National Prosecuting Authority as a prosecutor in the District Court, Regional Court, and High Court.

Mr Bebula became known for his work in serious sexual offences prosecutions and was part of the prosecution team in the landmark matter of State v Timothy Omotoso and Others. As a founding member of JAG, he brings extensive prosecution and judicial experience to the campaign for excellence, integrity, and public service in the judiciary.

Michelle Henderson is a District Court Magistrate with almost 20 years of post-qualification legal experience. Since her appointment to the bench in 2019, she has presided over criminal, civil, maintenance, children's court, domestic violence, harassment, rehabilitation, and inquest matters in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.

Before joining the judiciary, she served at Legal Aid South Africa as a Civil High Court Practitioner and Children's Civil Legal Practitioner, with experience in complex civil litigation, child justice, constitutional rights, family law, and access to justice for vulnerable communities.

She has contributed to judicial training, bench books, and forum presentations on criminal, civil, and family law. Ms Henderson holds an LLB from North-West University and remains committed to fairness, integrity, professional development, and access to justice.

Tebogo Mokgatle is a judicial officer and legal practitioner with extensive experience in legal practice, judicial administration, and the adjudication of civil and criminal matters.

He obtained a B Proc degree from the University of North West in 1998, completed Practical Legal Training through the Law Society of South Africa, and was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa after completing articles with the former Legal Aid Board.

Mr Mokgatle practised in private legal practice before serving as an Acting Magistrate from 2005 to 2013 and again from 2013 to 2015. On 1 November 2015, he was permanently appointed as a Magistrate and Head of Court in Limpopo Province.

He served as Provincial Chairperson of JOASA from October 2023 to January 2026, representing judicial officers and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening judicial independence, effectiveness, and professional development.

Cherise Mooloo is a founding member of JAG and a serving Magistrate with experience in private legal practice and the judiciary. She holds BCom and LLB degrees and has developed substantial expertise in civil litigation, judicial decision-making, legal research, and judgment writing.

Her work is focused on the challenges faced by Magistrates, who carry much of South Africa's judicial workload while often facing resource constraints, security concerns, and unequal institutional support.

Ms Mooloo advocates for judicial independence, fair remuneration, improved working conditions, enhanced security, and the development of a unified judiciary that recognises the constitutional role of lower court judicial officers.

Ezra Morrison is a judicial officer, legal practitioner, and founding member of JAG whose career reflects a commitment to justice, professional excellence, and the rule of law in South Africa.

She obtained a B Juris degree from Nelson Mandela University in 1997 and completed an LLB through the University of South Africa in 2011. In 2017, she was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, and in 2018 she was recognised as a Specialist in Criminal Law by the National Bar Council of South Africa.

Ms Morrison has experience in contract drafting, statutory interpretation, regulatory compliance, criminal law, advocacy, judicial decision-making, dispute resolution, training, and mentorship. Her contribution to JAG reflects a commitment to ethical leadership and the effective administration of justice.

Dr Betty Rawheath is an experienced judicial officer whose career in the South African justice system spans more than four decades. Her work reflects a sustained commitment to judicial independence, effective adjudication, and access to courts.

She began her public service career in 1978 at Chatsworth Magistrate's Court and was later appointed as a District Court Prosecutor, District Magistrate, and Regional Court Magistrate. She served at Stanger, now KwaDukuza, and later at Verulam Magistrate's Court.

Dr Rawheath holds a BA from the University of Durban-Westville, a Diploma Juris and LLB from the University of South Africa, an LLM in Public Law from the University of South Africa, and an LLD in Public Law from the University of Cape Town.

Her doctoral thesis, Independent and Effective Adjudication in the Lower Courts of South Africa, examined the constitutional and institutional foundations required for an independent and effective lower-court judiciary.

Rohan Heeralal Roopnarian is an experienced judicial officer, legal practitioner, and leader within the South African justice sector. He holds a B Proc degree from the former University of Durban-Westville and was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, later obtaining the Right of Appearance in the High Court.

His legal and judicial career spans private practice, Legal Aid South Africa, the commercial sector, and service as a Magistrate in the Western Cape. He has presided over civil and criminal matters and brings broad experience in litigation, labour law, family law, commercial matters, and constitutional issues.

Mr Roopnarian currently serves as Provincial Secretary of JOASA in the Western Cape. He has played a leading role in initiatives concerning remuneration review, judicial independence, and the institutional interests of lower court judicial officers.

His career reflects a commitment to public service, access to justice, judicial integrity, and the strengthening of South Africa's constitutional democracy.