'The decision to impeach me was a political decision' - MK parliamentary leader, Hlophe

CAPE TOWN - Former Western Cape judge president, John Hlophe, has officially taken his oath in a different arm of the state as the leader of the official opposition in Parliament.

As the parliamentary leader for the MK Party, Hlophe is the second impeached public office bearer in less than a year to find themselves in the very House that removed them for misconduct after Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, who is now an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP.

Hlophe said he’s ready to serve the South African people, in particular taking up the cudgels in their fight for land.

READ: 'The land belongs to the nation', says newly sworn in MK Party MP John Hlophe 

Surprising, maybe. 

But not totally unexpected.

From his lordship to honourable member, Hlophe has swapped a High Court bench for a parliamentary one and says he can now just be referred to as Dr Hlophe. 

Asked whether he would continue to pursue his legal action against his impeachment, Hlophe said the question was irrelevant. 

"The decision to impeach me was a political decision. There was no law in it. So, I'm here as a politician to join other politicians head-on."

Hlophe would also not be drawn on whether he would be his party’s representative on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the body that investigated the misconduct complaints against him. 

"I think it would be premature of me to make that suggestion. I, obviously, have expertise. I've been a judge in this country for 29 years, so I know the system in and out."

Hlophe said he believes he would be able to lend his expertise in a number of parliamentary portfolios, including justice and safety and security.