Cape Town - The DA on Tuesday called for Judge Nkola Motata to be suspended after the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg dismissed his appeal against his drunken driving conviction.
Motata has remained on special leave on his full salary pending the outcome of the appeal against his conviction more than a year ago. Judges earn roughly R1.5m per year.
"It is untenable that an individual who holds a public position for which integrity is paramount, has not been suspended following a criminal conviction," Democratic Alliance justice spokesperson Debbie Schafer said.
"Those serving in the public service, especially in a judicial capacity, must embody the highest standards of dignity and integrity. Judge Motata has clearly failed in this."
Schafer said she would write to Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo in his capacity as chairperson of the Judicial Services Commission to request the reasons why the judge had not been suspended.
Motata on Tuesday declined to say whether he would be appealing again.
"I have no comment," he told Sapa.
The justice department had confirmed Motata would remain on special leave until the appeal process was over.
The Cape Times reported that the judge would turn 65 in February 2012, and would then be able to retire on his full salary if the process was still underway.
Motata was sentenced by the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court to a fine of R20 000 or 12 months in prison.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/DA-calls-for-Motatas-suspension-20101130
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