Judge Dread

[WBS]( [Mail & Guardian Newsletter logo](#) [mg.co.za]( [The Ampersand Daily Newsletter from the M&G team](#) [Divider Strip] September 08 2020 | [View in browser]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( Hi there, South Africans love a good soap opera. There is no other logical explanation as to why Days of Our Lives was allowed to thrive for decades on our television screens, and its enduring success is something many of us have been complicit in at some point in our lives. Such an appetite for drama, it would seem, has permeated our perception of real-world events, too. Take Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe and Deputy Judge President Patricia Goliath. These two have been at it relentlessly all year. And now the latest installment in the seemingly never-ending saga: an alleged assassination attempt. The [police and the State Security Agency will investigate an alleged plot to kill Goliath](. Now, what kind of soapie lovers would we be if we didn't give you an Isidingo-esque recap of the highlights of the theatrics. Back in January, Franny Rabkin reported that [Goliath had accused Hlophe]( of trying to allocate the Earthlife Africa nuclear case to [judges perceived to be sympathetic to former president Jacob Zuma](. Goliath said Hlophe had told her, "the criticism against former president Zuma with regard to the nuclear deal was unwarranted. He attempted to influence me to allocate the matter to two judges he perceived to be favourably disposed to the former president." She also claimed that Hlophe had gone into another judge's chambers and assaulted him, and also laid a complaint of gross misconduct against his wife Judge Gayaat Salie-Hlophe. In a swift comeback, Salie-Hlophe hit back with [her own accusations of racism and dishonesty](. Salie-Hlophe said Goliath's allegations were "palpably untruthful ... gossip, designed and orchestrated to ridicule me in the course of pursuing an agenda of destruction". "The complaint is simply a bitter spew to oust the judge president, [showing her] ambition to succeed him and to garner herself the entitlement she believes she is rather more suitable for," she said. Hlophe himself would then echo those sentiments and go as far as [filing a counter-complaint against Goliath]( on the basis that her "false allegations" had damaged the administration of justice. Fast-forward to March and there was [still no end in sight for the row](. Ten judges then wrote to Hlophe to say they would not sit with Judge Mushtak Parker, who had initially accused Hlophe of assault, because he had acted with "apparent and serious lack of integrity". In May, Goliath then came out to say she has [an audio recording of a meeting]( she had with Hlophe in which he had "an aggressive outburst", calling her a "piece of shit". It is not illegal to secretly record a conversation if you are a party to the conversation, in terms of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act. But the code of judicial conduct, which sets out ethical rules for judges, says: "Formal deliberations, as well as private consultations and debates among judges, are and must remain confidential." Sure, we love a good drama and, yes, judges are people and they too make mistakes, but there's a reason they hold those positions and not Thabo, Dick and Hennie. They are held at a much higher moral and professional standard. Although no one is above reproach, it is their responsibility to uphold the esteem and integrity of their office. Relatability is for stars of the small-screen not judges. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT The 15th annual 200 Young South Africans list will go live on September 10 at 7pm. [Sign up for the virtual reveal]( hosted by Athandiwe Saba and eNCA's Thembekile Mrototo. This year's list also features a special category, "Frontliners", honouring the young people who have made a difference in the fight against the coronavirus. We'll see you tomorrow, Kiri Rupiah & Luke Feltham [Divider Strip] [200 Young]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( You are receiving this email on {EMAIL} because 1.) You're a member of "Mail & Guardian" or 2.) previously subscribed [M&G logo] 25 Owl St, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg, 2092 Want to be removed? No problem! [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Email support: help@media-connect.co.za - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -