Suspended Justice DG's disciplinary hearing now moved to February
Justice and Constitutional Development Director-General Doctor Mashabane was formally suspended on September 12.
Image: FILE
THE Justice and Constitutional Development Department is forging ahead with the disciplinary proceedings against suspended Director-General Doctor Mashabane whose contract will expire in February 2026 - the same month he is expected to be answering to the charges against him.
Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi recently confirmed that the disciplinary hearing against Mashabane and his deputy, Jabu Hlatshwayo, will recommence in February.
In responses to parliamentary questions from DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach, Kubayi outlined the updated schedules for the disciplinary hearings.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says the disciplinary hearings against suspended director-general and his deputy are postponed to early 2026.
Image: File
She said the dedicated hearing for Mashabane was scheduled for December 5.
“It has been postponed to dates 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, and 13 of February 2026, for hearing, subject to the decision of the presiding officer on the preliminary points raised by the director-general,” she said.
The disciplinary hearing for Hlatshwayo was set down for hearing on November 26.
It was postponed to January 26, 2026, to allow the employer to reply to preliminary points by Hlatshwayo during the hearing.
Kubayi previously indicated that both suspensions were related to “failures and lapses in the system” linked to the delays in Madlanga commission of inquiry.
The commission was forced to delay its start on September 1 over infrastructure procurement issues faced by the Justice and Constitutional Department that had significant implications for the inquiry’s timeline.
At the time, Kubayi said the required infrastructure was not in place for the Madlanga Commission, and the delays impacted the commission's ability to start its work.
To fill the leadership void created by the suspensions, Deputy Director-General Kalayvani Pillay, for legislative development and legal services, has been appointed to act as the director-general.
Deputy Director-General for Court Administration Charles Mohalaba has been appointed to act in Hlatshwayo’s ICT deputy director-general position.
The minister has also confirmed that the disciplinary proceedings will not be transparent to the public, as they are confidential between the employer and the employee.
“The proceedings are regulated to be private and fair in terms of the Labour Relations Act; however, the investigation outcome will be communicated accordingly.”
Cape Times