MK party opens criminal case against Judge Makamu over R5,000 corruption claim

The MK party has lodged a criminal complaint alleging that acting Johannesburg High Court Judge Samuel Makamu solicited R5,000 in connection with an application for leave to appeal an eviction order.

What the party alleges

The case was registered at Boksburg North Police Station at 5pm on Wednesday, the party said. The complaint follows an allegation from businessman and attorney Bouwe Wiersma, who lodged a complaint in August 2025 after an eviction order in July 2025.

The MK party said the allegations include claims that R5,000 was solicited in connection with an appeal application and that evidence reportedly includes WhatsApp communications and banking records.

Responses and calls for investigation

Judge Makamu has disputed the allegations.

MK party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said the criminal case was opened so the allegations already before the Judicial Conduct Committee could also be examined by law‑enforcement authorities. He is quoted as saying:

“Allegations of corruption involving judicial officers must be taken seriously and subjected to proper investigation by the relevant law‑enforcement and judicial authorities.”

Mahlangu also stressed that the party was not declaring Makamu guilty and said:

“The purpose of opening the criminal case is to place the allegations before the appropriate law‑enforcement authorities so that they can be investigated and determined in accordance with the law.”

The MK party said Judge Makamu should step aside for the duration of the investigation and added:

“Should any criminal conduct be established, those responsible must be held accountable.”

Judicial conduct process

The Judicial Conduct Committee (JCC) referred Wiersma’s complaint for a formal inquiry, concluding that while there were inconsistencies in the complaint, the matter was too serious to be dismissed as trivial and could amount to gross misconduct if proven. The JCC referred the matter to a Tribunal for further investigation.

Verification note

Public reporting did not include a police case number or copies of JCC documents. Further verification of those records and of official statements is recommended before relying on documentary detail beyond what has been publicly stated.