South African judge faces calls to be sacked after her racist messages are made public

South African judge, Mabel Johnson has sparked controversy after messages were leaked in which she suggested that rape was part of black culture. Top lawyer Vuyani Ngalwana said Judge Jansen's words were 'shocking beyond belief', according to the local Business Day newspaper.

The women's league of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) lambasted the judge.

'Her comments made on Facebook where she claims that the rape of young children is part of black culture, are purely racist and misrepresentation of facts about black culture,' it said.

The league questioned whether Jansen would be able to deal fairly with cases of rape in court. A petition has started calling for her sacking.  

Jansen defended herself on Twitter while arguing that her comments were misrepresented.

Jansen took to Twitter to defend herself, arguing her postings had been misrepresented.

'What I stated confidentially to somebody in a position to help has been taken completely out of context and referred to specific court cases,' she said.

'The real issue... is the protection of vulnerable women and children and an endeavour to cure the pandemic.'