Hlophe says there'll be far-reaching consequences if Parly removes him without probing his alleged misconduct
Western Cape High Court Judge President John Hlophe is on Tuesday applying before his own court for an urgent interdict to stop Parliament from voting on his impeachment on Wednesday.
FILE: Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape High Court Judge President John Hlophe said that for Parliament to remove him from office without probing his alleged misconduct would have far-reaching consequences for the judiciary in the future.
He's on Tuesday applying before his own court for an urgent interdict to stop Parliament from voting on his impeachment on Wednesday.
Gauteng High Court Judge Sulet Potterill has been seconded to the court to hear the case.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has recommended Hlophe's removal for gross misconduct.
The suspended Hlophe's legal representative, Advocate Thabani Masuku, said that Parliament could not just play a supine role in the removal of judges.
He said that if the National Assembly failed to probe the findings of the JSC, it would be avoiding its oversight responsibility.
He reminded the court that the JSC's decision on Hlophe was not unanimous and that there were four dissenting opinions on the matter.
Hlophe is accused of trying to improperly influence two Constitutional Court judges in 2008, in a case involving former president, Jacob Zuma.
Masuku has told Judge Potterill that this case was not only about Hlophe's personal circumstances but had consequences for the constitutional rights of all judges who could face removal in the future.