Judicial Conduct Tribunal hearing into Judge Mushtak Parker's conduct set to begin
Two complaints were filed against Western Cape Judge Parker by 10 judges of the same bench, and another by the Cape Bar council.
Outside the Western Cape High Court. Picture: Ashraf Hendricks/GroundUp
JOHANNESBURG - The Judicial Conduct Tribunal probing allegations of gross misconduct by Western Cape Judge Mushtak Parker is on Monday expected to begin hearings into the judge’s conduct.
Two complaints were filed against Parker by 10 judges of the same bench and another by the Cape Bar Council.
Parker was suspended in 2020 - a constitutional first for the country’s democracy, according to judicial watchdog, Judges Matter.
Parker’s matter is finally set to see the light of day almost five years after his suspension.
All the complaints against Parker call his integrity into question.
The first, by the 10 judges, relates to Parker’s contradictory statements over an alleged assault on him by then Western Cape Judge President, John Hlophe.
The second complaint, by the Cape Bar Council, is over his failure to disclose information during his 2017 interview for judicial appointment.
According to Judges Matter, a firm closely connected to Parker is accused by the Legal Practice Council of possibly misusing R8 million of a client’s money, through running up a deficit on the client’s trust account.
If the tribunal finds that Parker is guilty of gross misconduct, it could lead to his impeachment.
Hearings are set down for the week.