Hlophe impeachment referred to Parliament’s justice committee
The process to impeach Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe has been referred to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice.
Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has referred the letter of the Judicial Service Commission's (JSC) to the committee for consideration of procedural aspects.
"The letter which was received last week has been signed by the Acting Deputy Chief Justice and Acting Chairperson of the JSC, Justice Sisi Khampepe.
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“The letter confirmed the JSC's decision to uphold the guilty finding of the Judicial Conduct Tribunal (JCT) appointed to investigate allegations made by Justices of Constitutional Court, that Judge President Hlophe improperly attempted to influence Constitutional Court’s impending judgement in the Zuma/Thint matters during discussions with Constitutional Court Judges, Justices Nkabinde and Jafta.
“The letter from the JSC stated that 11 Justices of the Constitutional Court complained with the Judicial Service Commission (JCS) against Judge President Hlophe on 30 May 2008. This process was delayed by various litigation. The JSC's letter says, as the penultimate decider, the JSC proposes that the National Assembly (NA) undertake impeachment proceedings against Judge President Hlophe in line with section 177 of the Constitution on the handling of gross misconduct by Judges.”
