The Judicial Conduct Tribunal hearing of Judge Belinda Hartle of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court has heard details of an exchange between the Eastern Cape High Court Judge and court employee, Thozamile Semekazi.
Hartle is facing allegations of gross misconduct over claims that she used racist and derogatory language towards Semekazi in May last year.
Hartle had previously apologised to Semekazi for using a swear word and acknowledged that her conduct was unprofessional.
However, she denies ever using racist language, saying she had expressed frustration over the late delivery of court files, which had allegedly left her with insufficient time to prepare for court proceedings.
Tribunal evidence leader Advocate Benny Kalakgosi read out a WhatsApp exchange between the two at the time of the incident.
“It says, ‘Hello Mr Semekazi. I realise that I used a swear word in giving meaning to my frustration just now. But it was not intentional and certainly not directed at you personally. I apologise if it offended you. Kind regards, Belinda…It is the first time in my 23 years of working in this department that I have been sworn at by someone in your position. You degraded me in front of your secretary and belittled me, which is so humiliating and hurtful and so despondent. And I didn’t answer. Even your expression and your outrage towards me were so unprofessional and sad.”
Today’s court proceedings in the stream below: