News24 reports that a disciplinary inquiry against suspended KwaZulu-Natal Regional Court president Eric Nzimande appears to be working in his favour as witnesses called by the Magistrates Commission backed his version in their testimony.
Nzimande has been suspended on full pay since October 2018. The inquiry against Nzimande, 63, chaired by retired Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Jeremiah Shongwe, is being spearheaded by the Magistrates Commission following an array of allegations against him. The list of complaints against Nzimande includes gambling during office hours, sexual harassment, overlooking a magistrate who gave lenient sentences to rapists, selling judicial positions, and sending a picture of his penis to an acting magistrate whom he had recommended for a position. It is alleged that he pocketed gratifications amounting R238,260 from attorneys whom he recommended for acting magistrate positions between 2012 and 2015. Earlier this year, Nzimande pleaded not guilty to 162 charges against him. Last week, the commission heard from three of the implicated legal professionals, who had to be subpoenaed to appear before the inquiry in the Point Magistrate's Court in Durban. The witnesses refuted allegations of impropriety on the part of Nzimande under oath.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nkosikhona Duma at News24
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