Parliament Moves Closer to Impeaching Judge Nana Makhubele

Parliament has officially started the process that could see Judge Nana Makhubele removed from the bench after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) found her guilty of gross misconduct. National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has referred the JSC’s findings to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, which will now decide whether to back the JSC’s recommendation. If it does, the matter goes to the National Assembly for a final impeachment vote. The case stems from a 2019 complaint by #UniteBehind, a civil society group that accused Makhubele of compromising judicial independence by serving as PRASA’s interim board chair while still sitting as a judge and receiving payment for both roles. Phemelo speaks to Legal Expert Mpumelelo Zikalala for more insight.