Judicial Watchdog Demands Special Leave for Gauteng Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba Amid Bribery Denials

Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba.

By Mpho Dube – Editor‑in‑Chief, The Azanian

The judicial watchdog Judges Matter has called for Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba to be placed on special leave while serious misconduct allegations are investigated, warning that the integrity of the judiciary hinges on swift, transparent action.

An investigating officer at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry alleged that alleged crime kingpin Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe paid R2.5 million to secure his release on bail, with the money allegedly destined for Ledwaba. Molefe, who was arrested for the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, was later granted R100 000 bail in the Pretoria High Court after an earlier denial in the Vereeniging Magistrates Court.

Acting Judge President Ledwaba unequivocally rejected any suggestion that he received a bribe to grant Molefe bail, a denial aired on Eyewitness News Primedia.

Linda Mkhize, Executive Director of Judges Matter, said, “When allegations of this magnitude surface, the default position should be to protect the institution by placing the judge on special leave. It preserves public confidence while a thorough investigation proceeds.”

The organization is petitioning the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to fast‑track the inquiry, publish its terms of reference, and involve civil‑society observers to avoid opacity. The Office of the Chief Justice confirms a preliminary assessment is underway but has not announced any administrative measures. A spokesperson stressed that the process respects natural justice and confidentiality, with decisions pending sufficient facts.

Ledwaba, who assumed the acting judge‑president role in July 2025, has presided over several high‑profile rulings, including a recent municipal‑procurement decision. Any proven misconduct could undermine public trust in the Gauteng Division and set a precedent for judicial accountability.

Advocate Sipho Nkosi, a senior Bar member, warned, “Special leave is a safeguard, not a punishment. It prevents the perception that a judge might influence the very process examining his conduct.” Community activist Thandiwe Molefe added, “We need transparency. The judiciary must be the pillar of accountability, not an arena of secrecy.”

Judges Matter plans to engage Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice for legislative oversight and has urged the JSC to decide on special leave within 14 days. The Madlanga Commission is set to continue hearing evidence this week, keeping the nation focused on whether the call for special leave will translate into concrete action.