MK Party's lawyers 'studying judgment' barring Hlophe from sitting on JSC

CAPE TOWN - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party says its lawyers are studying a court judgement barring its parliamentary leader John Hlophe from sitting on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Friday's decision by the Western Cape High Court is a temporary relief, pending a review of the National Assembly's decision to appoint Hlophe.

The former Judge President was appointed to serve on the commission five months after he was impeached by parliament for gross misconduct.

Urgent applications were then brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and some advocacy groups to interdict Hlophe from serving on the JSC.

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The MK party believes the judgement is politically motivated.

Here's the party's spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela:

"Our lawyers are studying the judgement, this politically blatant judgement. We will then, at the back of that take a decision as to how we go about it."

Meanwhile, the DA said it would continue to fight for an independent and transparent judiciary that is free from political interference.

The party's Willie Aucamp said this was a historic victory for all South Africans who believe in an impartial and ethical judiciary.

"As this country grows our interpretation of laws must grow and we do know that the drafters of the constitution never in their minds thought that there would be an instance that an impeached person would serve on the judicial service commission or even serve as a member of parliament.

So, we have to grow, the law must grow, and this is why this case is going to be very interesting going forward because this is the first of its nature ever."