- The Judicial Conduct Tribunal will hear a complaint against Free State Judge L J Lekale in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 July 2026.
- Judge Lekale is accused of not carrying out his judicial duties for six years due to ongoing health issues.
- The Judicial Service Commission set up the tribunal after the Judicial Conduct Committee recommended an investigation.
The Judicial Conduct Tribunal will hear allegations that Free State Judge LJ Lekale was unable to fulfil his judicial duties for six years due to ill health, following a complaint by Judge President C Musi.
The hearings will be held at the Sandton Hotel in Benmore Gardens, Johannesburg, from 22 to 24 July 2026, beginning at 10am each day.
Retired Supreme Court of Appeal Deputy President Judge XM Petse will preside as Tribunal President, joined by retired Eastern Cape Judge I Schoeman and non-judicial member Advocate LM Lotnsho-Moloisane SC.
The tribunal was established under the Judicial Service Commission Act to hear evidence about the complaint.
Complaint arises from long absence
The Judicial Service Commission says Judge President Musi lodged the complaint on 31 January 2025, claiming Judge Lekale had not performed his duties for six years because of ongoing health problems.
The Judicial Conduct Committee considered the complaint on 29 April 2025 and recommended that it be referred to a Judicial Conduct Tribunal for further investigation.
On 10 October 2025, the Judicial Service Commission decided to set up the tribunal to investigate the complaint against Judge Lekale.
The tribunal will hear evidence over three days and then make its findings under the Judicial Service Commission Act.
The tribunal’s findings will contribute to the Judicial Service Commission’s disciplinary process in deciding the outcome of the complaint.
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