The state has paid R31m to six suspended magistrates, ‘who are essentially at home’, chairperson of the Magistrates’ Commission's Ethics Committee, Advocate Naome Manaka, told the Select Committee on Security & Justice.

One magistrate has raked in R8.1m since his suspension in September 2018, and another has earned just over R8m since her July 2020 suspension, notes a News24 report.

While the Magistrates’ Commission briefed the NCOP’s Select Committee yesterday, MPs voiced their concerns about the amount of money paid to suspended magistrates.

The suspended magistrates and their salaries since suspension:

* Desmond Nair has been paid R5,553,722.50 since his suspension on 24 February 2020.

* Eric Nzimande has been paid R8,133,126.40 since his suspension on 27 September 2018.

* Kholeka Bodlani has been paid R8,013,622.90 since her suspension on 21 July 2020.

* Leavit Mkansi has been paid R7,369,417.20 since his suspension on 9 May 2020.

* Ashin Singh has been paid R1,175,629.70 since his suspension on 18 December 2023.

* R Govender has been paid R1,068,703.10 since her suspension on 20 December 2023.

Another magistrate, TK Kekana, has been suspended since 3 March 2025, so her salary is not included.

According to the commission's presentation to the committee, disciplinary processes against each of the jurists have commenced, ‘unlike in the past when some were just in suspension’.

Full News24 report