In response to a request from the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued letters of suspension to judge Tshifiwa Maumela and judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi.
The JSC had recommended the suspension of the two judges due to their failure to conclude court matters within stipulated timeframes.
The JSC had earlier requested Chief Justice Raymond Zondo to appoint a Judicial Conduct Tribunal to investigate complaints lodged against Maumela and Mngqibisa-Thusi.
The commission suggested that the judges be suspended until the investigations were completed, with the condition that they finalise all pending matters during the suspension period.
The JSC expressed concerns regarding their inability to conclude court cases promptly, which ultimately led to delays and setbacks in the legal process.
One of the notable cases impacted by Maumela’s absence was the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Earlier in June, Maumela reported being ill, preventing him from presiding over the trial at the Pretoria High Court.
At the time, Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba, who filled in for Maumela, stated that the judge would be absent for an extended period as advised by his doctors.
Consequently, the trial was postponed until July 17, and arrangements were made for it to proceed in Maumela’s absence.
“The reason I am here today is because my colleague, judge Maumela, is ill and may not be here for a very long time,” said Ledwaba at the time.
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