Lamola has suspended a senior magistrate in KZN due to allegations of 'misconduct'
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has provisionally suspended Pietermaritzburg senior magistrate Ashin Singh pending confirmation of his suspension by Parliament.
Lamola informed National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula about Singh's provisional suspension in a letter.
"Following numerous complaints against him, the Magistrates Commission decided to formally charge him with misconduct based on prima facie evidence," Lamola wrote in his letter dated December 18, 2023.
It is alleged that Singh sent inappropriate and threatening WhatsApp messages to journalists in July last year after an article called for an investigation into KZN's alleged involvement in spying and politics.
Lamola also mentioned that Singh had declared under oath a close relationship with Crime Intelligence officials.
Despite being given the chance to provide written representation, Singh's objections to his provisional suspension lacked substance, according to Lamola.
Based on the severity of the allegations and Singh's response, the commission recommended his provisional suspension, which Lamola approved.
The commission believed that the evidence against Singh was significant enough to justify suspending him from his judicial duties until the misconduct inquiry concludes.
Lamola emphasized that Singh's submissions did not adequately address the issue of his provisional suspension and did not provide sufficient grounds for him to remain in office.
As per the recommendation of the Magistrates Commission, Lamola decided to provisionally suspend Singh from his position, pending the outcome of the investigation into his suitability for office.
Lamola informed National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula about Singh's provisional suspension in a letter.
"Following numerous complaints against him, the Magistrates Commission decided to formally charge him with misconduct based on prima facie evidence," Lamola wrote in his letter dated December 18, 2023.
It is alleged that Singh sent inappropriate and threatening WhatsApp messages to journalists in July last year after an article called for an investigation into KZN's alleged involvement in spying and politics.
Lamola also mentioned that Singh had declared under oath a close relationship with Crime Intelligence officials.
Despite being given the chance to provide written representation, Singh's objections to his provisional suspension lacked substance, according to Lamola.
Based on the severity of the allegations and Singh's response, the commission recommended his provisional suspension, which Lamola approved.
The commission believed that the evidence against Singh was significant enough to justify suspending him from his judicial duties until the misconduct inquiry concludes.
Lamola emphasized that Singh's submissions did not adequately address the issue of his provisional suspension and did not provide sufficient grounds for him to remain in office.
As per the recommendation of the Magistrates Commission, Lamola decided to provisionally suspend Singh from his position, pending the outcome of the investigation into his suitability for office.
