By Chiara Carter and Sheena Adams
Controversial Cape Judge President John Hlophe is once again at the centre of a storm - this time in connection with claims he received a R10 000-a-month retainer over a year from Oasis Group Holdings.
The claim is made in a yet-to-be published article in the investigative magazine Noseweek. Hlophe has denied that he received the retainer.
If such a payment were made without permission from the justice minister, the Cape's top judge could find himself in hot water with the Judicial Service Commission and there would almost certainly be calls for him to be impeached.
Hlophe told Independent Newspapers: "I am not on a retainer from Oasis or anybody. I am not so stupid as to receive a retainer from any party."
He said he was not considering legal action.
The latest allegations come before a meeting of the country's heads of court at the weekend and next week's meeting of the Judicial Service Commission in Cape Town to interview candidates for the Bench.
Hlophe has long had links with the Oasis Group, as he heads the Umbilo Trust which owns a stake in Oasis Asset Management.
A source said Hlophe was permitted to be a trustee by then justice minister Dullah Omar.