Judge Lepono Lekale, diagnosed as legally blind, faces a tribunal to determine his fitness for duty after eight years of sick leave. His reliance on traditional healers and refusal to retire raises critical questions about judicial accountability and the intersection of Western medicine and African spirituality.
Despite being diagnosed as legally blind by a doctor, Free State High Court Judge Lepono Lekale - on the advice of his traditional healers - still declines to take early retirement out of fear of “inviting the wrath of his ancestors”, maintaining the belief that he would regain eyesight “soon”.
This week, potentially precedent-setting Judicial Conduct Tribunal proceedings into the complaint against Judge Lekale adjourned for the panel to file its report and findings and thereafter make a determination.
The Tribunal panel is composed of retired Judge Xola Petse as Tribunal president, retired Judge Irma Schoeman, and non-judicial member Advocate Lesego Montsho-Moloisane SC.
Judge Lekale is accused of judicial incapacity, as he has been on sick leave for just over eight years due to his illness affecting his eyesight and leg amputation. Due to his illness (diabetic retinopathy), he has not performed any judicial duties since 2018.
