Hlophe won’t legitimise a fraudulently constituted JSC: MKP

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) says the will of South Africans who voted for Dr John Hlophe’s participation in all parliament duties assigned to him has been constitutionally undermined.

The MKP made the remarks while announcing Hlophe’s resignation from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) with immediate effect.

“The MK Party will not allow the name of Dr John Hlophe (MP) to be associated with or used to legitimise a patently misleading, fraudulent, and improperly constituted Judicial Service Commission.”

MKP’s decision comes after the party lost its bid to challenge Hlophe’s temporal suspension from the JSC and the dismissal of an attempt to have JSC’s interviews, which started yesterday, postponed until the matter is finalised.

Speaking to Y’s sister news TV channel, eNCA, MKP spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, elaborated on the party’s stance.

 

Ndlela says choosing Hlophe irrespective of him being an impeached judge was a natural decision for them.

 

The DA has cautiously welcomed Hlophe’s resignation, saying it remains to be seen whether this is a stunt to disrupt the sitting of the JSC.

However, it maintains that his departure from the commission is a victory not only for the party but also for judicial independence.

“This moment marks a significant victory for the DA and for judicial independence, as we have long argued that an impeached judge with a record of gross misconduct should not have a seat on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). It remains to be seen whether or not this is another cheap stunt to disrupt the sitting of the JSC, but his departure is a certain win.”

Judges Matter’s, Alison Tilly, which also opposed Hlophe’s participation in the JSC, says this is good news.

Written by Nokwazi Qumbisa