The judge presiding over the Senzo Meyiwa's murder trial Judge Tshifiwa Maumela, will finish and give the final judgment on the matter. Judge Maumela and another Judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi's were suspended following the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in April pending the outcome of a tribunal investigating delays that several of their judgments suffered.

FAILING TO DELIVER JUDGMENTS

The initial application for their suspension was lodged by Judge President, Dunstan Mlambo in October 2020. Mlambo complained that Maumela had not delivered judgments in three cases, dating back to 8 August 2018, 16 August 2018 and 17 September 2018. In a complaint against Judge Mngqibisa-Thusi, Mlambo indicated that she had failed to hand down several judgments within the period set for the reservation of judgments. A total of 20 judgments were outstanding at the time. These judgments were delayed by between six and 27 months. JSC spokesperson, Advocate Sesi Baloyi explained that the norms and standards of judicial officers place a cap of three months on reserved judgments. "The JSC is in the process of appointing a tribunal for each one of the judges. As of today being the 28th of June, the President has issued letters of suspension to the judges," she said. 

FINISHING MEYIWA TRIAL

Although the two judges face suspension, JSC previously said they have to finish the matters before them. In a report, retired Constitutional Court Judge and Freedom Under Law chairperson, Johann Kriegler, said Judge Maumela, will have to lead the trial even if his suspension has been approved. "The overwhelming probability is that Judge Maumela, although suspended, will continue and complete the trial that started before him and has been running before him. You can't just move that case to another judge, it doesn't work like that. He has to finish that job," said Kriegler.