EAST LONDON - The Judicial Conduct Tribunal opened its investigation into allegations of gross misconduct against Eastern Cape High Court Judge Belinda Hartle on Monday.
Hartle is accused of using racist and derogatory language towards court employee Thozamile Semekazi in May last year, after reportedly growing frustrated with court file delivery delays.
Semekazi grew emotional while recounting the events of that day.
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In a report by Judges Matter, Semekazi complained that the events of the day constituted "humiliating and demeaning conduct", which caused him to "suffer a major depressive disorder and resulted in his being admitted to hospital for treatment".
The report further revealed that Judge Hartle’s stated that she used only one swear word, and that it was not directed at Semekazi, and accused him of grossly misrepresenting the interaction between them. Judge Hartle disputes ever using a racist word,