Judge Makhubele wraps up testimony in protracted misconduct hearing

The end of Gauteng High Court Judge Tintswalo Makhubele’s Judicial Conduct Tribunal appears to be within sight, with the embattled judge having finally finished her testimony.

Makhubele is accused of undermining the independence of the judiciary by occupying the positions of judge and chair of the interim Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa board at the same time, and of meddling in the parastatal’s legal affairs during her time there.

In 2020, the complaint against her was referred to a Judicial Conduct Tribunal and last February that tribunal finally got under way.

It’s been slow going since then but it now looks like we’re finally in the home stretch.

The evidence leaders wrapped up their case last year and after multiple delays Makhubele eventually kicked off hers in January, taking the stand in her own defence.

Her evidence has dragged on spanning a total of seven days, which were spread over three sittings.

On Friday, however, she has finally wrapped up.

The matter’s now been postponed to next month for what is expected to be one more witness whom Makhubele wants to call.

“I want to call one witness … a clerk at the High Court in Pretoria … I will ask the state attorney to arrange her.”

The matter will resume on 11 March.