The advocate who let President Jacob Zuma off the hook left his high-profile position as a Land Claims Court judge in May and has gone into private practice, says a Sunday Tribune report. Two weeks ago, Mokotedi Mpshe SC, appeared in the Durban Commercial Crime Court, representing a couple charged with fraud. It was his first case since he had made the decision.

Mpshe is based at the High Court chambers in Pretoria and is a member of the Pretoria Society of Advocates. Mpshe reportedly told the newspaper he had left his position on the Bench because he could no longer deal with ‘uncertainty’ in his life. He had been an acting judge for three years. ‘I am 67 years old and I am passionate about what I do. But when you don’t know whether you will be in a position permanently it creates instability in your life.

Positions were advertised, I applied and they were later withdrawn. ‘There are no posts for judges.’ He said he was happy with his decision and planned to continue practising until he reached 80. ‘I do not aspire to be a judge any more. I enjoyed my years and it is time to move on. I would like to fight for justice and fairness for my clients.’ On the Zuma decision, Mpshe said he had ‘no regrets’, adding’ ‘I made the right choice and I will stand by it’.

Full Sunday Tribune report (subscription needed)