Latest news with #OfficeoftheChiefJustice
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya impersonated on social media
This is not the first time someone tried to impersonate Maya. Someone has been impersonating Chief Justice Mandisa Maya on several major social media platforms. The Office of the Chief Justice said it has become aware of fake social media accounts falsely claiming to be that of Maya. 'We wish to categorically state that Chief Justice Maya does not have any personal or official social media accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter/X, or TikTok'. Warning It warned that impersonating a judicial offence is a criminal offense. 'It is not advisable to engage with any social media accounts/profiles claiming to be that of Chief Justice Maya' The office urged South Africans that if they receive any communication purported to be from the Chief Justice, the authenticity of which seems questionable, the legitimacy thereof may be confirmed by contacting Maya's office. ALSO READ: Meta complies, shuts down Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels posting sexual content of SA school children Not the first time This is not the first time someone has tried to impersonate Maya. In March last year, Maya's office said an individual had sent a WhatsApp message to an official requesting contact numbers of Judges. 'The mobile number from which the message came is 072 324 9318 and is registered on the WhatsApp application as belonging to 'Chief Justice MM Maya'. The public is warned not to fall prey to this impersonator and needs to be aware that impersonating a Judicial Officer is a criminal offence.' Police The Office of the Chief Justice said the matter was reported to the South African Police Services (Saps). 'Members of the public and media are requested to contact the OCJ to verify the authenticity of any communication, directive, article, or social media post that purports to be that of a Judge.' Deputy Chief Justice Meanwhile, Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo is likely to be the next Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. This follows the Judicial Service Commission's (JSC) decision earlier this month to recommend Mlambo for the position. The recommendation comes after a public interview process, which started in Sandton for the position following President Cyril Ramaphosa's nomination of four candidates for the post after consulting the JSC and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly (NA). ALSO READ: Ramaphosa nominates Mandisa Maya as SA's next Chief Justice
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Judiciary requests Mkhwanazi to provide evidence of allegations
Maya said her office would deal with any matters reported against its members impartially. The Office of the Chief Justice has formally requested National Commissioner of the Saps, General Fannie Masemola, and the KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, to back up their allegations. This follows Mkhwanazi's media briefing on Sunday, in which he alleged the judiciary was in cahoots with criminals. Mkhwanazi said an investigation with the Gauteng organised crime investigation unit unmasked a syndicate which involves politicians, law enforcement, metro police, correctional services, prosecutors, judiciary, and is controlled by drug cartels as well as businesspeople. ALSO READ: Senzo Mchunu investigation will take longer to finalise, says Public Protector 'Such claims, made without substantiation, are extremely damaging to public confidence in the independence and integrity of our courts – a fundamental pillar of our constitutional democracy,' said the office on Thursday. 'Judicial Officers are bound by the Judicial oath or solemn affirmation of office to uphold and protect the Constitution, and the human rights entrenched in it, and to administer justice to all persons alike without fear, favour or prejudice, in accordance with the Constitution and the law. 'As such, any suggestion of impropriety within the Judiciary is treated with the utmost gravity.' Evidence Chief Justice Mandisa Maya called on Mkhwanazi, or anyone who has evidence against members of the judiciary, to report to the necessary offices. 'The Judiciary stands firm in its commitment to accountability and the rule of law. If any person, including Lt Gen Mkhwanazi, has credible evidence of unlawful or unethical conduct committed by a member of the Judiciary, they are urged to report such matters to the legally mandated structures of the State. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa to address nation following allegations by Mkhwanazi 'Unsubstantiated allegations, however, regrettably undermine the administration of justice and weaken public trust in our institutions, which are essential to upholding our constitutional democracy.' Maya said her office would deal with any matters reported against its members impartially. 'Should any Judicial Officer be found to have acted unlawfully or unethically, appropriate action must be taken without any hesitation. The Judiciary remains resolute in its duty to serve all South Africans with impartiality and integrity.' Public Protector on Mkhwanazi revelations Meanwhile, the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) has confirmed its investigation into the allegations made by Mkhwanazi against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu, among others, of corruption and collusion with criminal networks. Mchunu has denied the allegations. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation on Sunday in light of these allegations. READ NEXT: Charges laid against Mchunu as pressure mounts on Ramaphosa to act amid national security concerns
The South African
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Judiciary urges Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to provide evidence for his claims
The Judiciary has called on KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to provide evidence after he alleged that there is a collusion between the judiciary and criminals. Mkhwanazi held an explosive media briefing on Sunday, 6 July, about police operations in KZN, where he also accused the minister of police, Senzo Mchunu, of political interference in police investigations. Additionally, Mkhwanazi alleged that the political killings task team which Mchunu wanted to disband in December 2024 uncovered a syndicate including senior politicians, senior police officials, metro police, officials in correctional services, prosecutors, and other influential businesspeople that is controlled by a drug cartel in Gauteng. The startling allegations have sent shockwaves across the country, with many political parties commending Mkhwanazi for his bravery and urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend Mchunu. On Thursday, 10 July, the Office of the Chief Justice said Mkhwanazi's claims made without substantiation are extremely damaging to public confidence in the independence and integrity of the courts – which is a fundamental pillar of constitutional democracy. Chief Justice Mandisa Maya said the judiciary stands firm on its commitment to accountability and the rule of law. 'If any person including Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has credible evidence of unlawful and unethical conduct committed by a member of the judiciary, they are urged to report such matters to the legally mandated structures of the state. 'Unsubstantiated allegations, however, regrettably undermine the administration of justice and weaken public trust in our institutions which are essential to upholding our constitutional democracy,' Maya said. Meanwhile, the Presidency has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Sunday, 13 July, address the nation on developments arising from Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations against senior political and South African Police Service (SAPS) leadership. 'President Ramaphosa was attending a BRICS summit in Brazil on Sunday, 6 July 2025, when General Mkhwanazi outlined numerous allegations at a media briefing. 'The President undertook to attend to this development on his return from Brazil, given the implications for national security,' Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Judiciary demands evidence in wake of Mkhwanazi's corruption allegations
JOHANNESBURG - The judiciary is demanding answers after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made damning allegations implicating the arm of state. Acting secretary-general in the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ), Advocate Marelize Potgieter, has requested Mkhwanazi and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola to provide evidence on corruption allegations against members of the judiciary. Last Sunday, the head of police in KwaZulu-Natal alleged that judicial officers were colluding with criminals. ALSO READ: • Ramaphosa to address nation on Sunday over Mkhwanazi's allegations • DA lays criminal charges against Police Minister Mchunu • National SAPS reveals Mkhwanazi receiving threats since bombshell media briefing In a statement from the Office of the Chief Justice, the head of the judiciary, Mandisa Maya, warned that unsubstantiated claims undermine the administration of justice and weaken public trust. Bongiwe Gambu spoke on behalf of the OCJ: "Our judicial officers are bound by the judicial oath to uphold and protect the Constitution, and the human rights entrenched in it. The judiciary reaffirms its unwavering support to justice, transparency, and the principles enshrined in our Constitution. Therefore, should any judicial officer be found to have acted unlawfully or unethically, appropriate action must be taken without any hesitation."
TimesLIVE
10-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Chief justice asks Mkhwanazi and Masemola to back up allegations
The acting secretary-general of the Office of the Chief Justice has officially requested national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola and KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to submit evidence supporting the allegations made by Mkhwanazi on Sunday. Mkhwanazi was also urged to lodge formal complaints with the Judicial Service Commission and/or the Magistrates' Commission, where appropriate. Chief justice Mandisa Maya, said the judiciary stands firm in its commitment to accountability and the rule of law. 'If any person, including Lt Gen Mkhwanazi, has credible evidence of unlawful or unethical conduct committed by a member of the judiciary, they are urged to report such matters to the legally mandated structures of the state. Unsubstantiated allegations, however, regrettably undermine the administration of justice and weaken public trust in our institutions, which are essential to upholding our constitutional democracy,' Maya said. Mkhwanazi made damning allegations against police minister Senzo Mchunu on Sunday. He accused the minister of interfering with police investigations and of being an associate of people with questionable characters. He claimed that in 2024, a request was received from the Gauteng Organised Crime Investigation Unit for help in dismantling an organised crime syndicate operating across the country and controlled from Gauteng. Investigations revealed that the syndicate involved politicians, members of law enforcement (including SAPS, metro police and correctional services), prosecutors and members of the judiciary and was being controlled by a drug cartel in collaboration with certain businesspeople. Reacting to the allegations, the judiciary said it noted the remarks with serious concern. 'Such claims, made without substantiation, are extremely damaging to public confidence in the independence and integrity of our courts — a fundamental pillar of our constitutional democracy,' the Office of the Chief Justice said in a statement. The office said judicial officers were bound by the judicial oath or solemn affirmation of office to uphold and protect the constitution and the human rights entrenched in it, and to administer justice to all people alike without fear, favour or prejudice, as per the constitution and the law. 'As such, any suggestion of impropriety within the judiciary is treated with the utmost gravity. These bodies are constitutionally and statutorily mandated to investigate complaints against judicial officers. The JSC derives its authority from Section 178 of the constitution, read with the Judicial Service Commission Act, 1994 (Act 9 of 1994). Furthermore, the Magistrates Commission operates under the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act 90 of 1993). Both institutions have well-established mechanisms to address allegations of misconduct, ensuring due process and fairness,' reads the statement. Reaffirming its dedication to justice, transparency and the principles enshrined in the constitution, the Office of the Chief Justice said should any judicial officer be found to have acted unlawfully or unethically, appropriate action must be taken without hesitation.
