President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially informed retired Judge Nkola Motata of his removal. This follows the finalisation of his impeachment. The Judicial Conduct Tribunal in 2018 found Motata’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct and recommended his removal from office.
This stems from a drunk and driving incident involving the judge in 2007.
Two complaints were brought against Motata following his conviction: knowingly raising a dishonest defence in his criminal trial and for racist comments he made while intoxicated after his accident. The National Assembly’s impeachment vote saw 296 MPs vote in favour of, one against, and 13 abstain.
Motata is the second judge to be impeached since the dawn of South Africa’s democracy.
Presidency Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya.
“The president has also, in terms of Section 177 (2) of the constitution, removed a retired judge of the Gauteng High Court division, Judge Nkola John Motata. The action follows the National Assembly’s resolution to remove Judge Motata as provided for in Section 177 (1)(b) of the Constitution.”
