South Africa's Zuma appoints first woman to head court of appeal

FILE PHOTO: South Africa's Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) and President Jacob Zuma listen to the national anthem at the opening of Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa February 11, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/File Photo

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has appointed Justice Mandisa Maya as the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, the president's office said on Friday, making her the first woman to occupy the position. "Her appointment to the position elevates her to the third highest position in the Judicial Branch, after the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic," Zuma said. (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by James Macharia)