Judge Mngqibisa-Thusi afflicted by condition preventing her from performing her duties, court hears

JOHANNESBURG - A Judicial Conduct Tribunal heard that a Gauteng judge was afflicted by a condition preventing her from handing down judgments many times.

Hearings are being held into Judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi's alleged misconduct for her failure to hand down a significant number of judgments.

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Gauteng Judge President Justice Dunstan Mlambo lodged the complaint against the now-suspended judge.

Media has been barred from covering the hearings on Tuesday, as Mngqibisa-Thusi will state her case.

Mlambo accused Mngqibisa-Thusi of gross misconduct for failing to inform him of a condition she was suffering from that was keeping her from performing her duties.

Representing the suspended judge, Justice Gcina Malindi pointed out to Mlambo how Mngqibisa-Thusi might have feared shame and embarrassment in her situation.

"I don't think I want to take issue with this shame issue. Judge Mojapelo, in his ruling, does not regard it as something that's shameful. It's not - it's us Africans."

Mngqibisa-Thusi's legal team requested that her submissions not be broadcast, saying some of the details would cause discomfort.

Among the witnesses that will testify on behalf of Mngqibisa-Thusi is a clinical psychologist and traditional healer, Gogo Aubrey Matshiqi.