Former regional court president in the dock

Strong links to Zululand rhino poaching trials

FORMER regional court president, Eric Sibusiso Nzimande, appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court last week on five counts of contravening the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities (PRECCA) Act.

Nzimande (62) is alleged to have received unauthorised gratification to the value of approximately R230 000, according to a media release from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

“Nzimande, as the Regional Court president for KZN, was responsible for making recommendations to the minister of justice and correctional services for the appointment of acting Regional Court magistrates.

“The minister relied on his guidance in making these appointments,” said the NPA.

“During the period of April 2012 to October 2015, Nzimande recommended several individuals to be appointed [in this capacity].

“The State alleges that he sought and received gratification from each of these individuals either before, during or shortly after their appointments.”

The matter was adjourned to 20 May 2024 for a first appearance in the High Court.

Numerous articles on alleged misconduct have been published since Nzimande first found himself in hot water in September 2018.

In 2016, Rapport newspaper revealed that Nzimande had been subjected to an internal investigation following allegations that he had offered a female magistrate a job in exchange for cash and other favours.

He has also been accused of bribery and misconduct by environmental group Saving the Wild, which claims court officials appointed by Nzimande allowed rhino poachers and other hardcore criminals to escape conviction through a ‘systematic web of corruption’.