Johannesburg – Western Cape High Court Judge Derek Wille has testified before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal, revealing that suspended judge Mushtak Parker sought his assistance after an alleged altercation with former Judge President John Hlophe.
The tribunal is investigating allegations of gross misconduct against Parker, following complaints from ten judges over his contradictory statements—first accusing Hlophe of assaulting him, only to retract the claim a year later.
Key Testimony: Parker’s Allegations and the Mysterious Key
Judge Wille recounted an incident on February 25, 2019, when a distressed Parker approached him in his chambers, seeking legal counsel over an alleged physical altercation with Hlophe.
According to Wille, Parker even provided what he claimed was evidence of the incident—a broken key, which he said had snapped when he fell against a bookcase after being struck by Hlophe.
“At the time that he deposed to this affidavit in front of me, he brought a key along, which he said broke when he fell down against the bookcase that houses the legal books in his chambers after he had been struck by the Judge President,” Wille testified.
However, despite preparing the affidavit, Parker chose not to take it with him. Instead, he left it with Wille and asked for it to be sent to his personal email. Later that day, he returned with two affidavits, signed by a commissioner of oaths, and still requested Wille to keep them in his possession.
Background: Parker’s Contradictory Statements Under Scrutiny
The inquiry stems from Parker’s inconsistent statements regarding the alleged assault. Initially, he accused Hlophe, but later withdrew the claim, causing controversy within the judiciary.
The tribunal is now examining whether Parker’s actions amount to gross misconduct, which could have serious repercussions on his judicial career.
As the hearings continue, the case is expected to shed light on internal tensions within the Western Cape High Court and raise further questions about judicial integrity and accountability.