Traffic chief has his sights set on becoming Chief Justice

The chief traffic officer for Thulamela Local Municipality, Dr Thinandavha Edward Munwana, is hoping to be a Chief Justice of South Africa one day.

Dr Munwana (55) completed his LLB degree at the University of South Africa on March 20 this year.  His graduation ceremony was initially scheduled for 2021, but was postponed to this year because of the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Munwana, who also boasts a master’s degree in law from Unisa, specialising in labour law, said that he planned to open his own practice as an advocate when he resigned from his position at Thulamela one day.

“I do not see myself working as a traffic cop forever, because that means I will have to retire and become a pensioner.  My plan is to be self-employed, where I will practice law.  In that field, I will have to work hard, so that I can have a good client base with a good reputation. My aim is to climb the ladder until I can become a Chief Justice, like Chief Justice Raymond Zondo,” he said.

Dr Munwana, who passed his degrees in record time, said that he wanted people to know that “even a traffic officer can be learned”. He added that many people believed that a traffic officer knew nothing except how to write a fine ticket. Others also think that you must have political connections to be employed by a municipality.

“I never had any connections that led me to this position that I occupy with Thulamela today.  My educational qualifications are the ones that helped me to be here,” he said.

News - Date: 14 August 2022

Ndivhuwo Musetha

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