Judge Nana Makhubele is a judge of the Gauteng High Court in South Africa. She is also a former chairperson of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and the first black female chairperson of the Pretoria Bar.
She is currently facing a judicial conduct tribunal for alleged misconduct and conflict of interest. She has also been accused of racial bias and failing to appear at the state capture inquiry.
Judge Makhubele Age
Judge Makhubele is 44 years old as of 2024.
Judge Makhubele Early Life and Education
Judge Makhubele was born in Giyani, a rural town in Limpopo province, in 1980. She was a gifted child who skipped several grades and completed three of them in one year. However, her parents could not afford to send both her and her elder brother to high school, so she had to work as a domestic worker for a local school principal for a year. She later resumed her schooling with the help of her brother, who paid for her fees.
Makhubele obtained a diploma in Business Administration and a certificate in Project Management from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
She also received certifications from Stellenbosch University in Investment Foundation, Chartered Financial Analyst, and Finance for Non-Financial Managers.
She completed a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Milpark Business College and is currently pursuing a PhD in Innovation and Technology Management from the Da Vinci Institute.
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Judge Makhubele Career
Judge Tintswalo Makhubele career path was not a conventional one. She started as a public prosecutor in Giyani and then became an assistant master of the High Court in Pretoria.
She joined the Bar in 1999 and became one of the first black women to attain the status of senior counsel in 2013. She also served as the chairperson of the Water Tribunal and the Income Tax Appeal Board. She was appointed as a judge of the Gauteng High Court in 2018, after several acting stints since 2013.
Makhubele’s appointment as a judge coincided with her appointment as Prasa chairperson, which created a conflict of interest and a breach of the separation of powers principle. She was nominated by the JSC for appointment as a judge on October 4, 2017. On October 17, she was appointed as the Prasa chairperson, with her term commencing on January 1, 2018. On November 2, former president Jacob Zuma appointed Makhubele as a judge, also effective from January 1, 2018.
Makhubele’s dual status as a judge and Prasa chairperson sparked a complaint by civil organisation #UniteBehind, which accused her of violating judicial ethics and causing a conflict of interest. The complaint was referred to the Judicial Conduct Committee, which recommended a judicial conduct tribunal to investigate Makhubele’s conduct. President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Makhubele pending the outcome of the tribunal.
Makhubele has denied any wrongdoing and has challenged the tribunal’s jurisdiction and legitimacy. She has also questioned whether she was targeted because she is a black woman. She lodged a complaint against judge Neil Tuchten for “defamatory statements and unwarranted criticism” after he wrote in a judgment that she ought not to undertake judicial duties until she clears her name. She suggested that Tuchten’s judgment against her was affected by racial bias.
Makhubele has also been implicated in the state capture inquiry, which is investigating allegations of corruption and fraud at Prasa. She was expected to give evidence relating to her role as Prasa chairperson, but she failed to appear before the inquiry. She sent her legal counsel to request a postponement, citing several reasons for her non-appearance. She claimed that she had not been alerted when evidence against her was to be delivered by a witness, advocate Francois Botes.
Makhubele’s case is still ongoing and has not been concluded. She faces the possibility of impeachment if the tribunal finds her guilty of misconduct. She also faces the risk of being implicated in the state capture inquiry if she is found to have been involved in any irregularities or corruption at Prasa.
Judge Makhubele Personal Life
Judge Makhubele is not married. She is a single woman who has focused on her career and education.
Judge Makhubele Net Worth
Judge Makhubele has an estimated net worth of 50,000 as of 2024.
