Achmat Jappie remembered as a humble and distinguished judge

Former KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Achmat Naeem Jappie, a respected jurist known for his leadership and decades of service to the judiciary, has died. Jappie (71) was buried on Wednesday at the 45th Cutting Soofie Qabrastan in Sherwood, Durban. Those closest to him remember not only a distinguished judge but also a man whose quiet personal gestures left a lasting impression.

Paying tribute, Pietermaritzburg criminal defence attorney Narend Sangham said he would miss their regular morning messages — a simple routine that reflected Jappie’s grounded nature. I will miss our occasional interactions, especially our good morning messages. He was always an absolute gentleman.

As an advocate, he was brilliant, and as a judge, he was head and shoulders above others. “He treated everyone with the utmost respect,” he said. Sangham said that, beyond his legal brilliance, Jappie was known for his calm demeanour and for treating those around him with dignity, regardless of rank.

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“Outside the courtroom, he was jovial, had no airs and graces and did not pull rank. He was friendly, approachable, helpful and gentle.” He described Jappie as a judge who listened carefully and handled matters with quiet authority, leaving a lasting impression on colleagues and those who appeared before him. Jappie was first appointed to the bench in 1998 and later served as deputy judge president before leading the KwaZulu-Natal High Court from 2015.

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