Johannesburg -
KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Chiman Patel will leave his post at the end of the year, the Sunday Times reported.
While Patel declined to explain his decision, he told the newspaper a recent charge of crimen injuria brought against him had emotionally affected him.
“It must hurt me,” he said.
The charge - which was brought against him by a clerk who alleged that Patel had called her “nonsense, trash” and a “useless person” in his chambers - was withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority in the Durban Regional Court this week.
Marumo Moerane, for Patel, told the Sunday Times that the case stemmed from an “improper motive” and that Patel was treated “like a common criminal”.
Patel has served as provincial judge president for three years. - Sapa