Judicial Conduct Tribunal probing Parker set to hear closing arguments
JOHANNESBURG - The Judicial Conduct Tribunal against suspended Western Cape judge, Mushtak Parker, is expected to hear closing arguments in the probe against him on Tuesday.
Ten judges of the same division laid complaints against the judge following his retraction of a previous allegation and deposing of an affidavit in which he claimed former Western Cape judge president, Dr John Hlophe, assaulted him in his chambers.
The second complaint against the suspended judge was lodged by the Cape Bar Council over his failure to disclose a deficit of R8 million in the trust account of a law firm he was connected with during his 2017 interview for judicial appointment.
Parker was suspended in 2020 following a resolution by the Judicial Service Commission, making him the first judge to be suspended in the country's constitutional democracy.
During the hearing in February, several judges delivered similar testimonies, that Parker told them he was assaulted by then-Western Cape judge president, Hlophe.
So bad was the assault, said Parker, that it damaged the key that was lodged in the cupboard he was allegedly shoved into.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Deputy President Paul Mashatile withstood intense interrogation
Deputy President Paul Mashatile told the National Assembly on 12 June 2025 that small-scale farmers still struggle to obtain credit due to the lack of title deeds, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo. He says the government granted R500 million and 44 000 hectares for land redistribution in the 2025–2026 fiscal year. This is in line with the numbers in the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development's 2025 budget vote. Some parliament members say progress is still slow because of bureaucratic and legal delays. Mashatile, head of the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster, says Operation Shanela has led to 13 000 arrests. The operation ran from 17 to 23 March 2025. The programme's main goal is to stop gang violence in places like the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Stats SA Q1 2025 data shows youth unemployment at 45.5 percent, further pushing gang recruitment. Security experts at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Africa say we can't stop crime without dealing with poverty and gaps in education. Mashatile attested to 105 municipalities' poor water supply performance. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) sends engineers to keep an eye on failing projects. Theft, leaks, and billing errors cause water losses of up to 50% in some metros, according to the DWS 2025 performance report. Outdated water infrastructure in places like Emfuleni, which has not been updated in over 40 years, has led to over R17 billion in debt owed to water boards and growing public discontent. Deputy President Paulus Mashatile warned that the United States' withdrawal from the PEPFAR would leave South Africa with an annual R8 million shortfall. He said domestic resources will secure antiretroviral (ARV) medications for the next two years. The South African National AIDS Council's (SANAC's) 'Close the Gap' campaign aimed to place 1.1 million people on antiretroviral treatment by 2025. However, groups like Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) warn that without ongoing funding, most vulnerable patients face serious risks. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
The dark reality of mob justice in Limpopo: Vigilantism and brutal murders of accused people
IOL has spoken to crime analyst Calvin Rafadi, a research associate at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), who welcomed the recent sentencing of individuals involved in acts of mob justice, also known as vigilantism. Image: File South Africa has witnessed countless cases of mob justice, where community members viciously attack crime-accused individuals, often beating and burning them to death. The trend is particularly prevalent across the Limpopo province, and IOL has reported on numerous incidents where alleged criminals are at times tortured and brutally killed by the angry community members. IOL has spoken to crime analyst Calvin Rafadi, a research associate at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), who welcomed the recent sentencing of individuals involved in acts of mob justice, also known as vigilantism. In the latest incident, the High Court in Polokwane has convicted and sentenced 57-year-old Daniel Komana from Ga-Mothapo village, to two life terms of imprisonment for two counts of murder. Komana was also sentenced to a fine of R8,000, or four years' imprisonment, half of which is suspended for three years, for two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Komana's co-accused, 71-year-old Rampedi Jeriel Malatjie from Ga-Molepo, was sentenced to a fine of R8,000 or four years' imprisonment, wholly suspended for three years, for two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Mmanaka Phillemon Rasehlo, 57, also from Ga-Molepo, was handed a fine of R8,000 or four years' imprisonment, half of which is suspended for three years for two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. All three men - Komana, Malatjie and Rasetlo - had pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court heard that on 21 October 2019, a group of cattle owners from Sebjeng village arrived at the homestead of two accused men, Mack Leposha Mashapa and Makhotla Geoffrey Thabana. The mob forcibly took them to the Sebjeng community hall, where they were interrogated and brutally assaulted. Mashapa and Thabana were later taken to nearby bushes, where they were burned to death. Key witnesses, including the wives of the deceased men, testified regarding the events which led to the horrific murders. The matter was reported to the police at Mankweng, who responded the next morning. Komana, Malatjie and Rasetlo were arrested shortly thereafter. In aggravation of sentence, state advocate Muneiwa Ratshibvumo argued that violent crimes of this nature are widespread, and that strong punitive measures are necessary to deter communities from taking the law into their own hands. The court accepted that the crimes were premeditated and motivated by personal grievances. Advocate Ratshibvumo emphasised that the accused, as mature adults, should have acted more responsibly. Limpopo spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the High Court in Polokwane has sent a strong message against mob justice by sentencing the key perpetrator to two life terms for the brutal abduction, assault, and murder of the two men. 'This landmark judgment reaffirms the rule of law and makes it clear that those who take justice into their own hands will face serious consequences,' said Malabi-Dzhangi. 'The National Prosecuting Authority remains committed to holding perpetrators accountable and delivering justice for victims of senseless violence.' Meanwhile, director of public prosecutions in Limpopo, advocate Ivy Thenga has welcomed the sentences as a deterrent to would-be offenders. In an interview with IOL regarding the scourge of vigilantism, crime researcher Rafadi acknowledged the high levels of crime in the country and the widespread frustration it causes among citizens. However, Rafadi emphasized the importance of communities allowing law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties in accordance with the law. 'We are all affected and frustrated by the scourge of crime, but we must give law enforcement a chance to do their work. They are the ones mandated to uphold the law and they have all the tools,' said Rafadi. He appealed to politicians, and public figures to highlight the blight of mob justice and vigilantism. Rafadi warned that such acts amount to 'kangaroo courts' that often result in severe harm and sometimes death of innocent people. Veteran forensic investigator, Calvin Rafadi. Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL 'Mob justice is not only unlawful, it is also a serious crime that reflects deep-seated hatred and mistrust within our communities,' he said. Rafadi said citizen arrests are legal in South Africa, and empowers communities only to arrest criminals peacefully and hand them over to the police. IOL News
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Eyewitness News
Mashatile denies the misuse of state funds amid claims of extravagant international trips
JOHANNESBURG - Deputy President Paul Mashatile has denied the misuse of state funds amid claims of extravagant international trips. Since taking up office almost a year ago, Mashatile's overseas trips have come up to close to R8 million rand. The deputy president detailed some of the costs he incurred in response to a question by ActionSA's Chief Whip in Parliament Lerato Ngobeni. According to responses from the deputy president's office Mashatile has taken a handful of international trips in 10 months, to Ireland, the UK, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Japan and the most recent one to France. The Ireland and UK trip cost a combined R5 million rand, while R2 million rand was spent on the four days in Japan. ActionSA said that it believes the spend on accommodation was alarmingly high. The deputy president said that while the cost of international travel is generally very high, he says these costs must be seen in the context of their original currency in relation to the rand dollar exchange, as well as the going rate of travel expenses, including ground transport, accommodation and flights. In his defence, Mashatile said that the international visits are aimed at strengthening existing bilateral, political, economic and diplomatic ties between South Africa and visited countries. He said that the trips are an important part of the country's attempt to woo investors. In that sense, Mashatile believes the country is getting value for money.
