PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has cancelled a meeting with Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille to discuss the nomination of Judge Mogoeng Mogoeng as Chief Justice.

Zuma's spokesperson, Mac Maharaj, said yesterday the president had received Zille's submission on Monday afternoon. Maharaj added that if the president needed clarity on it, he would approach her.

"He is studying it. He is studying all the responses. At the moment it suffices.

"If he needs further clarity on it, he will turn to her."

Maharaj said Zuma would decide whether to appoint Mogoeng "in due course".

"All the parties have submitted their views. So has the Judicial Service Commission and so has Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke."

Maharaj said Moseneke briefed Zuma in Pretoria.

Zille said: "It is a great pity that the president has reneged on his commitment to discuss his appointment to the highest judicial office in the country. South Africa's judicial system will be poorer for it.

"I wanted the opportunity to explain the Democratic Alliance's concerns in detail, and to make a recommendation to the president that he withdraw his nomination and give serious consideration to other candidates," she said.

"Section 174 of the Constitution enjoins the President to seek the counsel of the Judicial Service Commission and consult with leaders of opposition parties when appointing a new Chief Justice."

Zille said this consultation had to be meaningful, premised on a willingness by the president to change his mind after consulting.

The Office of ANC Chief Whip Mathole Motshekga said the meeting with Zille was unnecessary because the DA had already canvassed its views, both publicly and in its submission to the president.

"We do not believe that there was anything extraordinary in the DA's stance that necessitated the President's special attention outside of the process."

Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said he was not aware Zuma had cancelled the scheduled meeting with Zille.

Radebe described Mogoeng's two-day grilling by the JSC as "robust" and said he was in favour of broadcasting such interviews on television and radio.

"My personal view is that live broadcasts are something that we need to promote in South Africa, so that all South Africans can see the candidate that is being interviewed," Radebe said.

"Especially in this instance where prior to the interview there was a lot of media reports about the suitability of Justice Mogoeng.

"I think he has had his day on Saturday and Sunday, and I think the results of that from the JSC indicate what has happened."

Radebe said he was just "an ordinary member of the JSC" and the passing on of the results was being handled by Moseneke. - Sapa