Judge Makhubele finally takes the stand at Judicial Conduct Tribunal

JOHANNESBURG - Embattled Pretoria High Court Judge Tintswalo Makhubele finally took the stand at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating allegations of gross misconduct against her.

Makhubele is accused of occupying the position of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) board chair and judge at the same time thereby undermining the independence of the judiciary.

She’s also accused of meddling in PRASA’s legal affairs during her tenure at the parastatal, and, specifically of improperly involving herself in a dispute with state-capture-implicated Siyaya Group, which had a number of its contracts with PRASA overturned because of dodgy dealings.

The evidence leader, Elaine Zungu, wrapped up her case last year already. But the presentation of Judge Makhubele’s case and her evidence in defence of the allegations against her stalled after that. This as a result of issues around her legal representation.

These issues have still not been resolved but the tribunal has now refused her any further postponements. And against this backdrop, she finally took the stand, representing herself on Thursday morning.

So far, her evidence has focused mainly on her career background.

She, however, indicated that she would be disputing evidence Judge President Dunstan Mlambo gave previously around communications between the two and would like both their cell phones submitted for forensic analysis against this backdrop.

She also said she’d be presenting text messages.

"Which will supplement my part of the evidence to say look at all of these messages - when you read all these messages, do you see someone who is disappointed in me, someone who thinks I have brought the judiciary into disrepute?"

The hearing continues.