A criminal investigation has been launched into allegations of corruption at the Mthatha High Court in the Eastern Cape, with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) confirming an active enquiry into the matter.
According to reports, court officials are allegedly soliciting bribes from legal practitioners to carry out duties that fall within their official responsibilities — including the retrieval of missing case files, securing court transcriptions, and assigning trial dates.
The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) confirmed the allegations first surfaced in December 2024 and have since triggered parallel internal investigations and a formal police case.
This week, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya visited the Mthatha High Court and met with Acting Judge President Zamani Nhlangulela to assess the situation and receive a briefing on the status of the investigations. The Chief Justice expressed deep concern over the integrity of the court and confirmed that the OCJ has adopted a zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
“The Chief Justice was assured a case had been opened with SAPS, and the Hawks had launched an enquiry,” said the OCJ in a statement.
In response, Chief Justice Maya has ordered the fast-tracked rollout of the Court Online System in the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court within the next month. This digital platform is aimed at modernising court processes and curbing opportunities for misconduct.
The OCJ stated that the system would support end-to-end e-filing, digital case tracking, and evidence management, enhancing transparency and reducing the risk of corruption through the minimisation of manual tasks.
Additionally, the department is reviewing its internal controls to improve fraud prevention and early detection measures. The OCJ reaffirmed its commitment to ethical conduct and accountability under its Fraud Prevention and Anti-Corruption Policy.
“Leadership of the OCJ will spare no effort, within its delegated powers, to prevent, detect, punish, and eradicate wrongdoing,” the statement read.
The unfolding investigation is being closely monitored by both legal professionals and civil society, as public trust in the judiciary hinges on swift and transparent action.
