KZN Regional Court president suspended over charges
JUSTICE Minister Michael Masutha has suspended KwaZulu-Natal Regional Court president Eric Nzimande, who faces various charges, including allegations that he accepted payments in return for appointing attorneys as acting magistrates.
He also faces allegations of sexually harassing and demanding payments from a female attorney he appointed to serve stints as an acting magistrate.
The allegations against Nzimande were being probed by the Magistrates Commission, which then recommended to Masutha that Nzimande be provisionally suspended.
The suspension will be valid until the completion of an inquiry into Nzimande’s fitness to hold office.
“The minister trusts that the inquiry by the Magistrates Commission against Mr Nzimande will be concluded as soon as possible.
“It is of the utmost importance that the magistracy and its leadership must be beyond reproach,” said Masutha’s spokesperson, Mukoni Ratshitanga.
Contacted yesterday, Nzimande refused to comment, saying he had to respect the processes under way.
Ratshitanga said some of the allegations against Nzimande were that on various occasions he approached the deputy minister of justice recommending that a number of attorneys be appointed to act in regional courts.
“It is alleged that in turn he had received numerous payments from these attorneys. It is also alleged that Mr Nzimande wrongfully victimised and/or sexually harassed a female acting regional magistrate.”
Cape Times sister newspaper, The Mercury understands from sources that one of the attorneys who allegedly made regular payments to Nzimande is a Pongola attorney said to be linked to a rhino-poaching syndicate.
The attorney is also accused of facilitating payments to magistrates and prosecutors in various parts of the province in a bid to influence cases.
It is alleged that these payments were meant to influence the courts in favour of the accused, some of whom included poachers and alleged rapists.
Jamie Joseph, director of Save the Wild, who has been investigating a rhino-poaching syndicate, said Nzimande’s suspension was a “monumental victory” for the country’s natural heritage.
“What we are dealing with is a systematic web of corruption involving many magistrates and many lawyers, starting at the accused’s level, and it goes straight to the top.
“It will take serious political will to ensure the Magistrates Commission and the police are supported in this ongoing investigation. I would like to see President (Cyril)Ramaphosa put his weight behind this,” she said.
Allan Thornton, president of the US-based Environmental Investigation, said corruption was facilitating the rhino poaching crisis.
“It is imperative that corruption be eradicated from the judicial, law enforcement and conservation sectors,” he said.
Allegations of sexual harassment against Nzimande were first made to the justice minister by a female former acting magistrate.