Former KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Achmat Naeem Jappie
Image: File
Former KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Achmat Naeem Jappie passed away on Wednesday morning following a short illness. He was 70.
His funeral will take place today at the 45th Cutting Soofie Bhaijaan Hall in Sherwood.
A respected jurist, Jappie was appointed to the bench in 1998, later serving as Deputy Judge President before his appointment as the Judge President of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court in June 2015.
He served as an acting judge of the Constitutional Court from February to March 2015.
During his career he presided over notable cases in the High Court and Labour Appeal Court. He also chaired the Judicial Conduct Tribunal looking into allegations of misconduct against other judges.
He retired about four years ago.
Jappie's longtime friend and colleague, Rajesh Choudree (senior counsel), said Jappie's passing was a terrible loss.
"I knew him from when he was a student and then joined the bar. He later worked in the same group of advocates, Advocates Group 7, which was made up of a number of well-known advocates. It was a vibrant group and he was a key member.
"He was mild-mannered, unobtrusive and not someone who would show off. He had a great sense of humour and was widely knowledgeable. He had an extensive library. He was a great traveller and wherever he went he collected books to enhance his library," said Choudree.
He said Jappie was highly regarded in the profession.
"People respected him. He was a good lawyer and a good judge. He made the court work in harmony," said Choudree.
Jappie is survived by his father, wife and three children.