Umlazi Magistrate accused of going easy on child rapists finally suspended
Controversial Umlazi magistrate, Kholeka Badlani, who has been accused of being soft on children rapist has been provisionally suspended till an investigation into her fitness to hold office is carried out.
The suspension came a year after the Magistrates’ Commission became aware of her lenient sentences on rapists.
Bodlani was allocated to the Sexual Offences Court and dealt with cases of child victims who were raped by adults. The prescribed minimum sentence for such offences is life imprisonment.
Eight of her sentences found incomplete and incompetent have been overturned on review by judges.
The matter was referred to Justice Minister Ronald Lamola by the magistrates’ commission. The justice department spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“A judicial quality assessment of Ms Bodlani’s work revealed serious irregularities and shortcomings, most notably that a number of her cases had to be sent on special review in terms of Section 304(4) of the Criminal Procedure Act as several serious shortcomings and incompetent sentences were imposed by her,” he said.
“In almost all the finalised cases which were assessed, Ms Bodlani imposed sentences where the accused were cautioned or strongly reprimanded or wholly suspended.”
According to him, Bodlani is expected to face disciplinary hearing.
