Registry clerk Thozamile Semekazi admitted under oath on 12 November 2026 that he lied about having phone calls with Judge Belinda Hartle’s husband, journalist Ray Hartle. The admission came during a Judicial Conduct Tribunal hearing in Sandton, which is investigating claims that Judge Hartle used racist and abusive language towards Semekazi during an incident at the East London High Court on 15 May 2025.
The tribunal began hearing evidence on 9 November and was scheduled to continue until 18 November. The Judicial Conduct Committee had found a prima facie case of gross misconduct against Judge Hartle in December 2025, referring the complaint for a formal tribunal hearing.
Semekazi initially alleged that during a confrontation in May 2025, Judge Hartle directed racist language at him, including the k-word. Hartle admits using a swear word but denies any racial slur or targeted abuse. Speaking at the hearing, Judge Hartle said, “I realised I used a swear word giving meaning to my frustration just now.” Advocate Jan Heunis, representing Hartle, argued that the complaint was “an act of reprisal” linked to a May 2025 Daily Maverick article written by Ray Hartle, which reported an anonymous allegation that Semekazi had solicited bribes. Semekazi denied those corruption claims.
During the tribunal, Hartle’s lawyers sought to introduce call recordings between Semekazi and Ray Hartle to undermine Semekazi’s credibility. After Semekazi’s admission of falsehood regarding the calls, the tribunal blocked the immediate playing of these recordings pending further deliberation. Heunis stated, “His credibility is a pivotal issue. The recordings will show that he lied.” Semekazi, however, maintained, “It was not my first time working with a white judge like her… It was my first time to work with a judge who was racist.” He added, “I will never change it.”
The exact nature and wording of all disputed exchanges remain contested by the parties involved and have not been definitively established. The tribunal’s findings will determine whether Judge Hartle committed gross misconduct. The claim that Semekazi’s complaint was motivated by retaliation over the corruption allegations remains an unproven legal argument and has not been confirmed by the tribunal.
This case highlights ongoing tensions within the judiciary over race and accountability, with significant implications for judicial conduct oversight in South Africa’s courts. The tribunal’s final decision, anticipated after the conclusion of hearings, will be closely watched by the legal community and the public.
Cape Flats News will continue monitoring the tribunal proceedings and provide updates as further developments arise.