South African tribunal examines Judge Hartle’s exchange with clerk
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on SABC News
The Judicial Conduct Tribunal examined a WhatsApp exchange between Judge Belinda Hartle of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court and clerk Thozamile Semekazi. The judge, facing proceedings over racist remarks allegedly made in May last year, acknowledges an unpremeditated swear word but denies using racist language, according to SABC.
The disciplinary tribunal examining the case of Belinda Hartle, a judge of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, heard WhatsApp exchanges between the judge and Thozamile Semekazi, a court employee. The exchange concerns an incident during which Hartle acknowledged using a swear word and apologised, according to SABC.
In the message read by evidence leader Benny Kalakgosi, Hartle explained that her remark expressed frustration and was not personally directed at Semekazi. He replied that the judge had humiliated and belittled him in front of her secretary, describing her behaviour as unprofessional. Hartle, however, denies having used racist terms.
The judge faces allegations of gross misconduct relating to remarks allegedly made in May 2025. She says her frustration concerned delays in the delivery of court files, which allegedly reduced the time available to her to prepare for hearings, according to SABC.
The hearing comes after Judge Belinda Hartle tried over alleged racist insults against a clerk, published on 10 November.
