Judge Makhubele admits to struggling to represent herself at tribunal, wants legal representation
Embattled Pretoria High Court Judge Tintswalo Makhubele said she was “struggling” representing herself before a Judicial Conduct Tribunal.
The tribunal is investigating allegations of gross misconduct against Makhubele, who’s accused of occupying the position of interim chair of the PRASA board and sitting as a judge simultaneously and of meddling in PRASA’s legal affairs during her tenure.
After months of delays occasioned by issues around her legal representation, the tribunal this week refused any further postponements on the back of which Makhubele’s now taken the stand in her defence, without representation.
And before the proceedings were adjourned on Friday until February, she told the tribunal she was having a hard time.
Judge Tintswalo Makhubele was previously represented by Advocate Vincent Maleka – instructed by Mabuza Attorneys but they’ve now withdrawen on the back of a protracted battle with the State Attorney, which is footing Makhubele’s legal bill, over payment.
Earlier this week, she asked for a postponement to resolve the issue but was refused as much against the backdrop of what’s been numerous delays in the finalization of the matter, and she’s subsequently taken the stand unrepresented but on Friday afternoon told the tribunal she needed assistance.
“I wish to request that when I agreed to testify, I indicated I reserved my rights to ask for legal representation. As you can see, President, I’m really struggling. I need to have legal representation when we reconvene.”
The matter has now been adjourned to 7 February, which is the next date the venue is available. Whether she will be represented then, remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Makhubele earlier this week did also indicate she had planeds to approach the courts to interdict the proceedings from going ahead pending a “review” of her legal representation.
-EWN
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