Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha has granted special leave to Judge Mabel Jansen.

Masutha’s granting of the leave follows the request from Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo to place Judge Jansen on special leave‚ pending finalisation of a complaint submitted to the Judicial Services Commission.

The complaint‚ lodged by Johannesburg chairman of the Advocates for Transformation Vuyani Ngalwana‚ relates to comments on social media attributed to her which have caused outrage among members of the public.

 The statements‚ made by Jansen on Facebook last year and reposted on Facebook by journalist film-maker Gillian Schutte at the weekend‚ comment about rape by black men.

Justice Ministry spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said Masutha had also approved an acting appointment to fill the vacancy during this time.

 A number of organisations had condemned her statements and most called for her to be placed on special leave.