Johannesburg – Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and the South African Judiciary mourn the passing of retired Judge Eberhard Bertelsmann.
A concise statement from the Office of the Chief Justice, issued on Monday, 3 August 2026, revealed that the Chief Justice and the judiciary “are saddened to learn of the death of retired Judge Eberhard Bertelsmann.”
The former judge succumbed to cancer over the weekend at the age of 79.
He dedicated a significant portion of his life to the Judiciary, earning respect for his unwavering dedication to the rule of law, judicial independence, and fair justice.
“During his time on the bench, Judge Bertelsmann was distinguished for his diligence, integrity, and the caliber of his judgments,” the statement remarked.
Bertelsmann served at the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) for more than 16 years until his retirement in August 2016.
“Even after retirement, Judge Bertelsmann continued to contribute to the administration of justice, sharing his expertise on important public matters,” the statement added.
“His thoughtful and principled legal perspective has left an enduring legacy within South Africa’s legal community.”
The Judiciary extended its deepest condolences to Judge Bertelsmann’s family, friends, former colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
“May they find comfort during this difficult time, and may his soul rest in peace,” the statement concluded.
In an obituary, Netwerk24 noted that post-retirement, Judge Bertelsmann operated a legal clinic for the Christian Lawyers’ Association, offering legal assistance to those in need from a small office close to the Dutch Reformed Church on Bosman Street in Pretoria’s CBD.
Netwerk24 also reported that Bertelsmann shared with the JSC during a 2009 interview about overcoming dependency on prescription drugs and alcohol in the 1980s.
Following his recovery, he dedicated 16 years to leading the rehabilitation clinic that aided him.
Bertelsmann was born in Germany in 1946 and was educated in Windhoek, Namibia, and Pretoria before studying law at Stellenbosch University and Unisa.
He practiced as counsel at the Pretoria Bar and became a silk in 1988.
Netwerk24 emphasized that since being appointed to the Bench in 2000, Bertelsmann was recognized for his strict courtroom oversight, thorough preparation, and unyielding law enforcement, which earned him the nickname “The Rottweiler” among attorneys.
