MK Party to nominate impeached former judge Hlophe to represent it on JSC
If the house approves his nomination Hlophe, who was impeached by Parliament just four months ago, will have a seat on the opposite end of the table to interview candidates for judges’ positions.
FILE: Former Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe. Picture: judgesmatter.co.za
CAPE TOWN - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party appears set to ruffle feathers in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon when it nominates impeached former judge John Hlophe to represent it on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
It’s the same body that took more than a decade to investigate and finalise gross misconduct claims against him when he was the Judge President of the Western Cape High Court, eventually recommending his removal in 2021.
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If the house approves his nomination Hlophe, who was impeached by Parliament just four months ago, will have a seat on the opposite end of the table to interview candidates for judges’ positions.
Last week, Hlophe said it was premature to comment on whether he would be nominated to sit on the JSC.
But the parliamentary papers published on Tuesday indicate his name will be put to the house in the when it meets for the first time since the first sitting in June.
According to the Constitution, six members of Parliament (MPs) are designated as commissioners to the JSC from the National Assembly, and four from the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has again nominated former state prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is also looking to retain its leader, Julius Malema.
In the previous term, Malema upset the judiciary at times with the manner in which he interrogated candidates.
Judicial watchdog Judges Matter is appealing to the house to elect members with integrity.
“An obvious disqualifier is anyone who’s been found guilty or has been implicated in serious ethical breaches or misconduct,” said advocacy officer Mbekezeli Benjamin.
ActionSA has nominated its parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, while the African National Congress (ANC) has nominated new MPs, Soviet Lekganyane and Fatiha Hassan.
A simple majority vote is required for the nominations to be accepted.