Hlophe adamant he did nothing wrong in conversation with 2 former ConCourt judges about Zuma corruption case
The Western Cape High Court on Tuesday heard that Hlophe would continue to challenge the misconduct ruling by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) that led to him becoming the first judge to be impeached in a democratic South Africa.
MK Party parliamentary leader John Hlophe sworn in as an MP on 25 June 2024. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - Parliamentary leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, John Hlophe, is adamant he did nothing wrong when he had a conversation with two former Constitutional Court judges back in 2008 about a corruption case involving former president and now MK Party leader, Jacob Zuma.
The Western Cape High Court on Tuesday heard that Hlophe would continue to challenge the misconduct ruling by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) that led to him becoming the first judge to be impeached in a democratic South Africa.
Hlophe on Tuesday made an appearance in the public gallery for the first time in the courthouse which he was in charge of for more than 20 years.
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The Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Under Law and Corruption Watch are asking the court to review and set aside the National Assembly's decision last July, approving him as a commissioner of the body that recommended his removal as a judge.
Hlophe, the former judge president, told the court he had no intention of promoting unethical behaviour as a commissioner of the JSC.
The applicants said that Hlophe was unsuitable for the job and his presence would impact public confidence in the judiciary.
They added he had failed to show remorse after being found guilty of gross misconduct.
But his lawyer, advocate Thabani Masuku, said he doesn't believe he behaved inappropriately.
"He does not accept that a judge having a conversation in chambers with another judge is necessarily wrong. He's unapologetic of what happened, that’s why he went full defence in all the jsc processes."
Masuku said the applicants were being alarmist and that they were exaggerating the influence they believed Hlophe could have.
"If you are a judge worth your salt, you are not going to be influenced by what people are saying on the sidelines, and that’s the key to what judicial independence means."
Masuku said if Hlophe one day ascended to the leadership of the MK Party which would put him in the running for the country’s presidency, he’s convinced the applicants will once again file a petition against him.
The matter will continue on Wednesday, with the MK Party still to argue its case.