Eastern Cape High Court: 2003–2015 In April 2003, Dambuza was appointed as an acting judge in the
Eastern Cape Division of the
High Court of South Africa. After two years in an acting capacity, she was permanently appointed to the bench, where she served until 2015. In November 2013, when Chief Justice
Mogoeng Mogoeng took long leave, Dambuza was appointed as an acting justice of the
Constitutional Court. She held that position into 2014 She was later an acting judge in the
Supreme Court of Appeal from 2014 to 2015.
Supreme Court of Appeal: 2015–present While sitting in the Supreme Court of Appeal, Dambuza was appointed to chair an inquiry into the conduct of
Western Cape High Court judge
Gayaat Salie-Hlophe, following a complaint by
Patricia Goliath against Salie-Hlophe and her husband,
John Hlophe. Dambuza's inquiry did not find clear evidence of misconduct but recommended further investigation into an altercation at Hlophe's home, which Dambuza said "appears to be at the centre of the total collapse of the relationship" between Hlophe and Goliath. In early 2020, Dambuza was shortlisted for appointment to the Constitutional Court, but the appointments were postponed because of the
COVID-19 pandemic. When the process reopened the following year, Dambuza withdrew her candidature. She was acting Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal between 1 September 2022 and 1 June 2023, while Deputy President
Xola Petse acted in the place of former President
Mandisa Maya. == Academic appointments ==