Justice Minister Jeff Radebe has extended Judge Nkola Motata’s special leave pending his drunk driving appeal.

The North Gauteng High Court judge was sentenced in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday - he was ordered to pay a R20 000 fine or face 12 months in jail.

Motata crashed his car into the garden wall of a Hurlingham property in 2007.

His lawyers indicated they would apply for leave to appeal.

The ministry’s Tlali Tlali said, “Based on the outcomes of the criminal proceedings, the minister has decided to extend Judge Motata’s special leave.”

During the trial, civil rights group AfriForum laid a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission against Motata over racist remarks he made after he crashed his car.

The JSC’s Morumo Moerani said Motata’s decision to appeal would delay the finalisation of the complaint against him.

“The JSC has, on a number of occasions, expressed its concern at the length of time this matter took to be finalised.”