What really happened when JSC pressed Madumetja Malepe on money, debt and integrity

A past cloud of controversy returned to shadow Constitutional Court hopeful Dr Madumetja Malepe during a rigorous Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interview this week, as allegations of stolen church funds, debt concerns, and academic credibility were thrust into the spotlight.

Malepe, a seasoned academic, was grilled by JSC panelist Adv Tembeka Ngcukaitobi over a 2023 allegation that she misappropriated church funds—despite being cleared of any wrongdoing.

When pressed on why she hadn’t submitted formal documentation proving her acquittal, Malepe admitted delays: “I requested the church to provide me with a little bit of testimonial that shows that I was not found guilty in that case.”

“Unfortunately, due to the nature of the organisation, we only managed to get it last weekend because those who are responsible for those tribunals are not always at church.”

Financial integrity was also scrutinised, with commissioners raising red flags over her ongoing debt review and the looming threat of sequestration.

Malepe insisted the situation was under control: “They compared that with my debt review to say that it might affect my integrity or lead me into receiving rogue bribes and I think I made my point in that.”

Adding to the pressure, commissioners questioned her academic track record—specifically, her limited output of just two peer-reviewed articles over a 25-year career.

Concerns were also raised about the credibility of the journals in which her work appeared.

Malepe is one of several candidates vying for a seat on South Africa’s highest court. The JSC interviews, which continue over the next two weeks, aim to fill critical vacancies in the judiciary.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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