Acting High Court Judge Under Investigation for Alleged R5 000 Bribe

Allegations rock Johannesburg High Court

In a case raising serious questions about judicial integrity, acting Johannesburg High Court judge Samuel Makamu is facing an investigation for allegedly soliciting a R5 000 bribe to influence a leave to appeal ruling. The complaint was lodged last August by businessman and lawyer Bouwe Wiersma, who claims he paid the money to expose corruption within the judiciary.

The allegations have been formally taken up by the Judicial Conduct Committee (JCC), with Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judge Halima Saldulker appointed to lead the inquiry.

The alleged bribe: A troubling sequence of events

According to Wiersma, the saga began two days after an eviction order was issued against him. He received a call from someone claiming to be the acting judge’s secretary, offering help to secure leave to appeal. The following day, Makamu reportedly called Wiersma directly from his private cellphone.

Wiersma claims that the judge initially requested R7 000, later reducing it to R5 000, allegedly framing the payment as a contribution to his nephew’s university fees. Payment was reportedly made into the nephew’s Capitec account on 17 August 2025, with WhatsApp messages and bank records submitted as evidence.

Despite the payment, the leave to appeal was dismissed, and Wiersma was ordered to pay costs. He said he paid the amount with the intent of entrapment, hoping to expose alleged corruption.

Judicial inquiry begins

The JCC confirmed a prima facie case exists and handed the matter to SCA Judge Saldulker for a formal inquiry. This process is inquisitorial, meaning the focus is on establishing facts rather than adversarial debate. Wiersma described this approach as new to him and said he is observing how the inquiry unfolds.

“The inquiry doesn’t place the burden of proof on either side in the traditional sense,” Wiersma said. “It will be interesting to see how it’s conducted.”

Advocate Sesi Baloyi, spokesperson for the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), confirmed the investigation is underway. Makamu could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.

Public scrutiny and judicial integrity

Allegations of bribery strike at the heart of public confidence in South Africa’s judiciary. Social media has already seen debate over the matter, with many citizens emphasizing the importance of transparent and accountable judicial conduct.

For Wiersma, the appointment of a reputable SCA judge brings hope that the inquiry will be fair and thorough. Whether the investigation will uncover systemic issues or an isolated incident, the outcome could have broader implications for trust in South Africa’s courts.

A test for the judiciary

South Africans are watching closely. Cases like this serve as a reminder that judicial accountability is crucial in a country grappling with corruption across multiple sectors. The investigation into Makamu may not only determine the fate of one acting judge but also reinforce the importance of integrity in the judiciary a pillar of democracy that affects every citizen.

As Wiersma waits for proceedings to begin, the country waits with him, hoping for clarity, accountability, and justice.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com