Episode Details

A judge in South Africa’s Free State, Lepona Lekale, has been on sick leave for eight years yet continues to collect a full salary and benefits — while driving a state-subsidized Mercedes-Benz costing the government half a million rand annually. Despite losing his right leg, toes on his left foot, and suffering severe vision loss, Lekale insists he’s not incompetent or guilty of misconduct. He admits his condition now leans toward incapacity, blaming a traditional healer’s advice that early retirement would anger his ancestors and leave him blind forever. Though he once presided over high-profile murder cases and sentenced seven gang members to life, he hasn’t returned to court since 2018. The Judicial Conduct Tribunal is still deliberating — raising urgent questions about how justice systems handle judges’ prolonged health crises.

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