Tuesday marked the beginning of a Judicial Conduct Tribunal's investigation into claims of serious misconduct against Judge Tintswalo Makhubele.

Judge Tintswalo Makhubele's eligibility for a judicial position worries Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo.

Tuesday marked the start of the Judicial Conduct Tribunal's investigation into claims of serious misconduct against Makhubele.

The accusations are part of a complaint by the lobbying organization Unite Behind and Focus. They center on Makhubele accepting a position as interim board head of the South Africa Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa) after being recommended for judicial appointment in late 2017.

The first witness to be summoned, Mlambo, has been testifying concerning Makhubele's appointment procedure to the Gauteng division of the High Court. As a result, Makhubele was chosen for the position.

Judge Tintswalo Makhubele initially sought to hide that she had accepted an offer to chair the Prasa board. However, she only revealed it after he pressed her, according to Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, who testified before the tribunal.

He expressed disappointment in her actions and his unhappiness. Under cross-examination by her attorney Vincent Maleka, he also disclosed that he believed this questioned her eligibility for a judicial position.

"I would not have voiced my disapproval if I had not thought she had proven herself unacceptable by joining a plaintiff featured in the division."

Maleka, on the other hand, questioned why Mlambo didn't address these issues in later correspondence with Michael Masutha, the then-Justice Minister. On Wednesday, the trial will resume with Mlambo still on the witness stand.