MK Party Calls On Judge Makamu To Step Aside Amid Judicial Misconduct Tribunal

The MK Party has called on Gauteng High Court Judge Mudunwazi Samuel Makamu to voluntarily step aside while a Judicial Conduct Tribunal examines allegations of serious misconduct against him.

The call follows a complaint by businessman and attorney Bouwe Wiersma that was referred for a formal tribunal inquiry by the Judicial Conduct Committee (JCC). The complaint alleges that Makamu solicited money in connection with an application for leave to appeal an eviction order, allegations the judge has denied.

The JCC’s 26 May 2026 ruling lists the matter as Bouwe Wiersma v Judge MS Makamu. A referral to a tribunal allows the allegations to be formally investigated; it does not, by itself, establish that the allegations are proven.

MK Party Calls For Judge Makamu To Step Aside

The MK Party’s call for Judge Makamu to step aside comes as the judicial-conduct process moves towards a formal inquiry. Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said the judge should voluntarily leave the bench while the allegations are considered by the tribunal.

“Allegations of this nature strike at the very credibility of the judiciary. No judge should continue exercising authority while under formal investigation for alleged corruption and interference with an appeal.”

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Mahlangu said the tribunal should be allowed to operate independently and transparently. He added that the process would give Makamu an opportunity to respond to the allegations against him.

“We call for the Tribunal process to be conducted independently, transparently and without fear or favour. This investigation gives Judge Makamu the opportunity to clear his name, but if misconduct is proven, it must attract the appropriate consequences,” Mahlangu added.

Judge Makamu Denies Alleged R5,000 Payment Request

The Judge Makamu allegations stem from a complaint submitted by Wiersma in August 2025. Wiersma alleged that, after Makamu issued an eviction order against him in July 2025, he received a telephone call from someone who identified himself as the judge.

According to the complaint, the caller allegedly described the judgment as unjust and encouraged Wiersma to pursue an appeal. Wiersma further alleged that the caller offered to assist with obtaining a favourable outcome and recommended legal representatives.

The complaint also alleges that Wiersma subsequently made a payment into a Capitec account which he believed was connected to the judge’s family. The payment references allegedly referred to family savings and an appeal, while Wiersma said the application for leave to appeal was eventually dismissed.

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Makamu has denied the allegations, saying he never communicated with Wiersma before or after delivering the judgment. He has also denied soliciting R5,000 or any other payment from Wiersma.

The judicial-conduct record states that Makamu also denied that the bank account into which the alleged payment was made belonged to him.

Judge Makamu Tribunal To Examine Judicial Misconduct Allegations

The Judge Makamu tribunal follows the JCC’s consideration of the complaint, which included noted inconsistencies but found that the allegations were sufficiently serious to warrant further investigation. The judicial conduct framework provides for tribunal proceedings in complaints that may amount to gross misconduct and potentially carry serious consequences if misconduct is ultimately established.

The JCC process is separate from an appeal against a court judgment and is intended to examine the conduct of judicial officers. The committee assesses complaints before determining the appropriate route, with serious complaints potentially being referred to a Judicial Conduct Tribunal.

Makamu is also currently presiding over the high-profile Bushiri-linked fraud and money-laundering trial, where a recent application by the defence seeking his recusal was dismissed. That separate court dispute and the judicial-conduct complaint concern different proceedings.

The tribunal will now provide a forum for the allegations contained in Wiersma’s complaint to be examined. Until that process is completed, the allegations against Makamu remain allegations and he has denied wrongdoing.