Hlophe tribunal continues

A Judicial Service Commission (JSC) tribunal hearing into a complaint of misconduct against Cape Judge President John Hlophe continues on Tuesday.

 

The tribunal heard on Monday that Constitutional Court judges Chris Jafta and Bess Nkabinde did not lodge a formal complaint against Hlophe.

 

In 2008, the two alleged Hlophe approached them while they were considering a corruption case involving President Jacob Zuma and arms company Thint in the multi-billion rand arms deal.

 

The justices regarded discussing the case with them as an attempt to improperly influence its outcome and a complaint was lodged.

 

Hlophe, affronted that the judges had sent a copy of the complaint to the media before he had time to respond to it, laid a counter-complaint. A lengthy stop-start parallel process of JSC hearings and court challenges ensued.

 

The matter was ultimately heard in the Supreme Court of Appeal with rulings in favour of Western Cape premier Helen Zille and lobby group Freedom Under Law.

 

Last October, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said he would formally appoint tribunal members.

 

Hlophe faces impeachment if found guilty.

 

Gilbert Marcus, SC, for the Constitutional Court judges excluding Jafta and Nkabinde, on Monday said all the court's judges lodged a complaint. 

 

Evidence leader Xoliswa Khanyile told the tribunal that the complaint was a collective decision.

 

-Sapa