Scathing allegations of bribery against Aubrey Ledwaba, an acting judge at the Gauteng High Court, shook South Africa’s legal fraternity this week.
Witnesses, identified only as Witness ‘A’ and Witness ‘B’, told the Madlanga Commission of inquiry that Ledwaba allegedly received a R2.5 million bribe to influence the bail outcome of businessman and murder-accused Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe.
Although Ledwaba has denied the allegations, concerns remain that they taint the image of the judiciary.
WITNESS ALLEGATIONS
Witness A, a police investigator, testified on Tuesday that investigators had been tipped off about a bribe paid to grant Molefe bail.
According to IOL, Molefe is charged with the murder of engineer Armand Swart in April last year.
Witness B, a detective with the SAPS Gauteng Organised Crime unit, also alleged that Ledwaba’s decision to grant Molefe bail appeared premeditated.
She said the judge appeared biased and made Molefe’s bail conditions unusually flexible and considered his business and family commitments.
LEDWABA RESPONDS
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya said Ledwaba denied the allegations.
He also declined Maya’s offer to grant him special leave.
Maya said the allegation could damage the integrity of the judiciary.
“This testimony, an allegation yet to be tested and proved at this stage, still has the potential of damaging the integrity of the Judiciary,” she said in a statement.
She called on people with evidence to lodge a formal complaint with the Judicial Conduct Committee (JCC) of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
JUDGES MATTER
Judges Matter called on Ledwaba to step back from his duties pending an investigation into the allegations.
“We would urge Judge Ledwaba to step back from his duties as Acting Judge President of the busiest High Court Division in South Africa now that these allegations have been made under oath at an official inquiry.”
The organisation added that while stepping back is not an admission of guilt, it was necessary to protect the dignity of the courts.
MKP
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) said it would lodge a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to have Ledwaba suspended pending an investigation into the allegations against him.
“It is untenable for the busiest High Court in the country to be led by a judge facing such grave allegations,” it said in a statement.
