The announcement was made in a statement released Thursday night by the Presidency. 

Zondo, who was one of the four candidates interviewed for the job, has been acting as Chief Justice since July last year.

President Cyril Ramaphosa intends nominating Supreme Court of Appeal president, Mandisa Maya, as Zondo's deputy. 

DA leader John Steenhuisen says they welcome the announcement.

"We believe this draws a line under the sorry saga of the Judicial Service Commission hearings and the behaviour of some politicians in those hearings. 

"We believe it did a lot to damage the integrity of the judiciary as well as the process of selecting the new chief justice. However, the president has chosen a safe pair of hands in Zondo, he has already shown he is able to act without fear or favour."

But the EFF's Leigh-Ann Mathys said the red berets reject the appointment. 

She said they believe the appointment is a reward for treating Ramaphosa with kid gloves at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. 

"This is despite Ramaphosa presiding over cadre deployment. He was also tasked to revive state-owned enterprises as the deputy president and secondly both Ramaphosa and his son have not been implicated in the State Capture Commission reports. 

"Zondo has been appointed as the Chief Justice despite having the most compromising interview."

Jacaranda News