Mogoeng: God wants me to be chief justice

Chief Justice nominee Mogoeng Mogoeng told the Judicial Services Commission on Sunday that God wants him to be appointed to the position.

"Do you think God wants you to be appointed Chief Justice," Inkatha Freedom Party commissioner Koos van der Merwe asked Mogoeng.

"I think so," Mogoeng said.

"That creates problem for me," Van der Merwe said. "If I vote against you what is God going to do to me?"

"That is between you and God, commissioner," Mogoeng replied.

Mogoeng said he prayed and got a signal that "it was the right thing to do" after President Jacob Zuma has nominated him for the position.

"I prayed and got a signal it was the right thing to do when I was approached," Mogoeng said.

"I am one of those believers who believe that there is God and God does speak.

"When a position comes like this one, I wouldn't take it unless I had prayed and satisfied myself that God wants me to take it.

"Without the... God I depend on for strength I am going to fail."