Judge denies retainer claims

Cape judge president John Hlophe has denied a claim that he received a 10-thousand rands a month retainer from a company involved in a law suit against a fellow judge. The allegation is contained in an article to be published in the investigative magazine Noseweek. But according to Independent Online, Hlophe said in a brief reaction that he was not on any retainer. Democratic Alliance justice spokesperson Sheila Camerer earlier called on Hlophe to either deny or confirm the Noseweek allegations, and on Justice Minister Bridget Mabandla to say whether she gave Hlophe permission to receive a retainer.