The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development Committee recommends suspension of Magistrate
The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Development has recommended today to the National Assembly that magistrate Mr MJ Kgomo be provisionally suspended.
Committee Chairperson, Mr Luwellyn Landers, said this follows a request from the Magistrates Commission. Mr Kgomo was appointed to magistracy in July 2000. He is currently an additional magistrate at the Randburg District Court.
He was arrested on 5 December 2013 on a charge of corruption. It is alleged that Mr Kgomo demanded and received R150 000 in exchange for positively influencing the outcome of an appeal against extradition. It is further alleged that the R150 000 was recovered in Mr Kgomo’s briefcase in his office.
Mr Landers said the magistrate was afforded an opportunity to comment on his provisional suspension by the Magistrates Commission after which the Commission resolved on 4 February 2014 to recommend to Parliament that he be suspended pending an investigation to his fitness to hold office.
It is the Commission’s view that it is inappropriate for any judicial officer appearing as an accused before court on a charge of corruption, to still sit on the bench. The Commission said the charge and evidence against Mr Kgomo was of such a serious nature that if found guilty of the misconduct, he could be removal from office.
“Having considered the request by the Magistrates Commission to provisionally suspend Mr Kgomo from office, the Committee therefore recommends that the National Assembly confirms his provisional suspension,” said Mr Landers.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please call:
Rajaa Azzakani, Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 082 560 9610
Tel: 021 403 8437
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
