A KwaZulu-Natal magistrate has been suspended without pay pending a disciplinary hearing for allegedly making false declarations on his appointment forms and failing to disclose a prior suspension from practicing law.
Ian Blose, who served as a magistrate in KwaDukuza, faces three misconduct charges. The Magistrates’ Commission alleges that Blose falsely stated there were no circumstances that could embarrass the judiciary when applying for acting appointments in 2019, despite knowing a client had lodged a complaint against him with the Legal Practice Council (LPC) for misappropriating funds.
He is also charged with not disclosing that the LPC obtained a High Court order in January 2022 suspending him from legal practice, which occurred after his permanent appointment as a magistrate.
The LPC suspension stemmed from a client’s complaint that Blose handled the sale of her property for R460,000 but only paid her R200,000. An investigation found he could not provide bank records or accounting documents.
Blose was previously charged in the high-profile “Amigos” corruption trial, but the charges were later withdrawn.
The Magistrates’ Commission stated the suspension without pay reflects the seriousness of the charges. Blose was given an opportunity to respond before the suspension was enacted. A disciplinary hearing is scheduled for next year.