Kubayi won't clarify allegations of judges unlawfully occupying State-owned buildings

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said it's not her mandate to provide clarity on allegations of judges unlawfully occupying State-owned residences.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, recently issued Western Cape High Court Judge Daniel Thulare with a notice to vacate a State-owned residence in Kuils River.

Thulare has since claimed judges in the North West province are still being allowed to live in State houses.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) called on Kubayi to clarify whether any other judges, aside from heads of the judiciary, are occupying State property.

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Kubayi's spokesperson, Terrence Manase, said matters relating to the allocation of State-owned properties fall under the mandate of the DPWI.

"In this regard, the department and all the ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure will be best placed to provide clarity related to the occupation of State-owned property by judges."

The DA’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP) member for Security and Justice, Nicholas Gotsell, said Kubayi still has explaining to do.

"If the Judge Thulare claim is false, the minister must correct the record. If it is true, the minister must explain why it has been allowed to continue."

Gotsell said the DA has submitted parliamentary questions in relation to the matter for the minister to answer.