Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela, who is presiding over the trial of five men accused of murdering football star Senzo Meyiwa
Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Thursday said President Ramaphosa had issued formal letters to suspend Judge Maumela and Judge Nomonde Mngqubisia-Thusi.
Both judges face accusations of tardiness regarding returning judgments.
The JSC said Chief Justice Raymond Zondo will set up a tribunal to look into their conduct.
The suspensions of the two judges follow the April recommendations made by the JSC to suspend the presiding officers pending the outcome of respective tribunal investigations into delays in their judgments.
Initially, delayed judgment complaints against the two judges were first filed by Judge President Dunstan Mlambo in the year 2020.
Judge Maumela and Judge Mngqibisa-Thusi allegedly took between six and 26 months to return judgments that should ordinarily be concluded in only three months, in accordance with the Norms and Standards of Judicial Officers.
Earlier this month, Judge Maumela fell ill, leading to the postponement of the Meyiwa murder trial.
At the time, Gauteng deputy judge president Aubrey Ledwaba said Maumela was ill and “may not be available for a long time”.
The murder trial had already been marred by career-ending drama, which was on display when Advocate Malesela Teffo, for the defence, squared off with Judge Maumela.
Allegations against Teffo included assault and harassment of police officers, using foul language, violating a court interdict, and taking money from clients even though he was legally allowed to do so.
Last year in September, the Legal Practice Council successfully persuaded the Pretoria High Court to have Teffo – who was admitted as an advocate in 2009 – disbarred.
Teffo, who has since been struck off from the Roll of Legal Practitioners, was recently ordered out of the courtroom by Judge Maumela.
