 In 1999 she was appointed by President Nelson Mandela to be Chairperson of the Road Accident Fund Commission.In September 2001 in the case named "Satchwell v President of the Republic of South Africa", Satchwell, an open lesbian, won the right for her partner to enjoy the same benefits as those previously reserved for spouses of married heterosexual judges.This right was confirmed by the Constitutional Court in 2002.