Concerns over Judge Mushtak Parker's silence amid misconduct allegations

WESTERN Cape High Court Judge Mushtak Parker's silence during the Judicial Conduct Tribunal into two complaints of gross misconduct came under strict scrutiny as the Tribunal heard closing arguments on the matter yesterday.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

The Tribunal reserved its decision in the matter in which Parker is accused of bringing the judiciary into disrepute by lying under oath when he deposed an affidavit which alleged that he was physically assaulted by Judge President John Hlophe and then, a year later, retracted that version in a contradictory affidavit.

Parker omitted information relating to the professional affairs of his former law firm, which is accused by the Legal Practice Council of misappropriating R8 million of client monies (by running up a deficit in a client’s trust account).

The complaints against Parker indicate gross misconduct that will be seen as bringing the judiciary into disrepute and could spell his impeachment.