Judges Matter wants JSC to reconsider not advising Ramaphosa to suspend EC Judge President Mbenenge
Mbenenge, who will face a gross misconduct probe in January, was placed on special leave despite allegations of sexual misconduct.
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JOHANNESBURG - Judicial watchdog Judges Matter has called on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to reconsider its decision not to advise President Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend embattled Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge.
Mbenenge, who will face a gross misconduct probe in January, was placed on special leave despite allegations of sexual misconduct.
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However, Judges Matter said five other judges before tribunals have been placed on suspension.
The body has raised concerns at the breaking of a 10-year precedent, as researcher and advocacy officer, Mbekezeli Benjamin, explained:
“In the past, every single judge who has been referred to a Judicial Conduct Tribunal has also been suspended at the same time, and so we are worried that the JSC broke with precedent, and they gave no explanation for doing so. For us, this does not signal that the Judicial Service Commission is taking allegations of sexual harassment as seriously as they should.”