By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Eastern Cape acting Judge President Zamani Nhlangulela faces gross misconduct inquiry over remarks he made at the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) interviews.
Nhlangulela currently serves as Acting Judge President of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court while the embattled Judge President Selby Mbenenge faces separate impeachment-related proceedings.
The JSC’s Judicial Conduct Committee (headed by retired Constitutional Court Justice Steven Majiedt) found that Nhlangulela made improper and potentially false claims about acting judge and attorney Shirley Thembela Tilana-Mabece.
During JSC deliberations, Nhlangulela claimed that Tilana-Mabece had a child with cerebral palsy and repeatedly “disappeared” from legal practice over the years.
The committee determined that the comments cast Tilana-Mabece in a bad light and “may also prima facie indicate gross misconduct,” recommending a formal tribunal inquiry.
A Judicial Conduct Tribunal is the formal body that investigates serious complaints against judges. If a tribunal finds that a judge has committed gross misconduct, the matter can be referred to National Assembly for possible impeachment proceedings.
Gross misconduct is one of the grounds on which a judge may be removed from office.
The tribunal will hear evidence from complainant and the judge. Nhlangulela will have opportunity to respond to the allegations and present his side. The process is designed to be fair and transparent while protecting the independence of the judiciary.
Nhlangulela was appointed as a judge of the Mthatha High Court in 2009 and later became Deputy Judge President. He was appointed Acting Judge President of the Eastern Cape Division after Mbenenge stepped aside amid sexual harassment allegations.
The division has faced ongoing leadership and administrative challenges, including difficulties filling the Deputy Judge President post and concerns about case backlogs and service delivery in courts such as Mthatha.
During this month JSC interviews, the JSC has left the Eastern Cape Deputy Judge President position vacant after interviews failed to produce a suitable candidate.