Hlophe argues he's become a target as he challenges JSC ban
Hlophe's lawyer, advocate Thabani Masuku said by being impeached, Hlophe's already suffered the ultimate sanction of never being able to serve as a jurist again.
The DA, Freedom Under Law and Corruption Watch versus the Speaker of the National Assembly challenging the designation of the MK Party's parliamentary leader John Hlophe as a commissioner of the Judicial Service Commission in the Western Cape High Court on 25 February 2025. Picture: Lindsay Dentlinger/EWN
CAPE TOWN - uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party parliamentary leader, John Hlophe says it's become a sport to target him even before his removal from the bench as the Western Cape High Court Judge President.
He's been defending his designation by his party to serve as one of ten parliamentarians on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
The Democratic Alliance, Freedom Under Law (FUL) and Corruption Watch have on Tuesday been challenging the approval by the National Assembly, saying for Hlophe to serve would impact the integrity of the judiciary.
Hlophe's lawyer, advocate Thabani Masuku said by being impeached, Hlophe's already suffered the ultimate sanction of never being able to serve as a jurist again.
READ: National Assembly acted irrationally in appointing impeached Hlophe to JSC - Freedom Under Law
Masuku said the constitution does not prescribe any further consequences beyond that, and he can't be sanctioned because of that removal.
He went on to argue Hlophe's potential influence on a body that interviews candidates to become judges is being overstated.
"The primary function of the JSC is recommendation. Now for somebody to suggest that you need a holy angel to sit on the JSC in order to perform the functions of the JSC is absurd."
Masuku said the suitability argument made by the applicants is a distortion.
He said while Hlophe's designation is being scrutinised, the other Members of Parliament are not being subjected to the same treatment.
The case continues on Wednesday.