The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has recommended four candidates for two vacancies in the Constitutional Court, with only acting apex court justice David Unterhalter cut from the list of those interviewed on Tuesday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa must halve the JSC’s shortlist of four: advocate Alan Dodson SC, Gauteng high court judge Fayeeza Kathree-Setiloane, Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judge Mahube Molemela and Western Cape High Court judge Owen Rogers.

Twenty-three commissioners deliberated behind closed doors for more than three hours on Tuesday night before settling on the names. This followed mostly genteel interviews throughout the day, with a few tense moments...