Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read | 14 July 2025 | 19:47 CAT

📷 Mbekezeli Benjamin of Judges Matter urges swift action on explosive judicial allegations, calling the inquiry essential to restoring public trust and protecting the integrity of South Africa’s courts.

Calls for accountability have grown louder following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, implicating members of the judiciary in misconduct. In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the formation of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry, a move strongly welcomed by the civil society group Judges Matter.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Mbekezeli Benjamin, Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter, emphasised the urgency of addressing judiciary-related claims. “The allegations are quite damaging to the judiciary. The longer they are not dealt with, the more damage there is. It’s better for the judiciary and for the public that these complaints are dealt with as quickly as possible,” he stated.

The allegations, while vague, cast a wide shadow over the judiciary. Mkhwanazi has not named specific individuals, leaving what Benjamin described as “a cloud of suspicion.” He stressed that confirming or disproving the allegations will serve to either bring necessary disciplinary action or clear the names of those wrongly accused.

Significantly, Benjamin pushed back against concerns of bias within the inquiry, clarifying that, “It is certainly not the judiciary investigating itself.” While Justice Madlanga, a senior judge, is part of the commission, Benjamin underscored that the majority are respected legal professionals from outside the bench, including Advocates Sesiba Loy Esi and Sandile Kumalo. “Both of those lawyers are skilled and I doubt they will be fearful or biased,” he said.

On whether the commission has sufficient power to ensure real accountability, Benjamin remained cautiously optimistic. He noted the importance of “a focused inquiry that gets the facts and refers them to the relevant institutions,” referencing the Zondo Commission’s success in holding two judicial officers accountable. “We have a precedent,” he asserted, adding that if credible evidence is uncovered, “we will expect that the Judicial Service Commission or the Magistrates Commission will take action.”

As the inquiry begins its work, Judges Matter insists that it “must prioritize claims involving the judiciary to protect its integrity and restore public trust.”

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Ibrahim Daya and Mbekezeli Benjamin.