By Doreen Mokgolo
The DA has approached the Western Cape High Court to remove former judge John Hlophe from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Hlophe, who represents uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) in parliament, was recently appointed as one of six MPs on the JSC, even though he was impeached earlier this year for trying to influence Constitutional Court judges to favour former president Jacob Zuma in matters before the apex court.
DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille said that while political parties can nominate people to the JSC, someone guilty of misconduct should not serve on the body.
“Our application has two parts. First, we want to urgently stop Hlophe from taking a seat on the JSC. Second, we want to review and overturn the National Assembly’s decision to appoint him,” Zille said.
Zille argued that Hlophe’s appointment is a conflict of interest and weakens the independence of South Africa’s judiciary.
“The judiciary nominates and disciplines judges. It doesn’t make sense for someone impeached by this body to represent it on the JSC,” she added.
The DA insists that the National Assembly must protect the judiciary’s independence, integrity, and dignity.
“Parliament’s failure to ensure this risks undermining the JSC’s process for electing judges and investigating judicial conduct, which endangers the rule of law and the proper functioning of the judiciary,” Zille said.
Pictured above: Helen Zille.
Source: Facebook
