Judge Belinda Hartle on trial over alleged racist insults to a clerk
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Maverick
A judicial conduct tribunal, chaired by retired judge Boissie Mbha, is examining the gross misconduct charge against Belinda Hartle, a judge of the Eastern Cape High Court. She allegedly insulted court clerk Thozamile Semekazi with a racist term in May 2025, which could lead to her removal, according to Daily Maverick.
Eastern Cape High Court (South Africa) judge Belinda Hartle is appearing before a judicial conduct tribunal for gross misconduct. She is accused of racially insulting court clerk Thozamile Semekazi in May 2025, according to Daily Maverick. If the misconduct is established and the removal procedure is carried through, she could be removed from office.
Semekazi, a clerk for more than 20 years, says he went to the judge’s secretary’s office on 15 May 2025 to deliver files. According to him, Hartle, irritated by the delay of those files, abused him and called him the "k-word", a racist term, in front of her secretary, Shakira Frost. A few hours later, she apologised by WhatsApp message, the tribunal heard. The next day, she left a "peace offering" on his desk, acknowledging unprofessional behaviour, which Semekazi saw as an attempt at bribery.
The tribunal, chaired by retired Supreme Court of Appeal judge Boissie Mbha, began hearing witnesses on Monday. On Tuesday, Semekazi was cross-examined by Hartle’s counsel, Jan Heunis, who sought to understand why he had not mentioned the racist word to his colleagues or to the judge. The clerk replied that he was angry and emotional at the time. Heunis also cited a statement by the secretary, who disputes this version and says the judge made no insulting remarks to him.
