Former judge Dr. John Hlophe’s nomination to the JSC has been withdrawn by the MK Party.
(The Post News)- UMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) Party has withdrawn its nomination of Dr. John Hlophe after he resigned at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), just as the commission began interviewing candidates for crucial positions within the Superior Courts.
The party, which initially nominated Dr. Hlophe, submitted a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly on October 7, 2024, making the withdrawal effective immediately. This decision follows a tumultuous week that saw the MK Party, of which Hlophe is a member, withdraw his nomination to the JSC and launch a scathing attack on the commission’s integrity.
Dr. Hlophe’s resignation brings to a close his controversial tenure on the JSC, a body responsible for recommending judicial appointments and investigating complaints against judicial officers. His presence on the commission had drawn sharp criticism, particularly after his impeachment in February 2024 for gross misconduct. Critics argued that his continued involvement undermined public trust in the judiciary and the JSC’s ability to function impartially.
Dr. Hlophe’s resignation comes on the heels of an interim interdict issued by the Western Cape High Court, barring him from participating in JSC activities. The interdict was granted following a legal challenge by the Democratic Alliance, which argued that Hlophe’s presence on the JSC was unlawful given his impeachment.
The MK Party’s decision to withdraw Hlophe’s nomination came after a failed legal bid to interdict the JSC interviews, which are scheduled to run from October today till the 16th. The party’s statement announcing the withdrawal went beyond simply removing Hlophe, condemning the JSC as “patently misleading, fraudulent, and improperly constituted.”
As the JSC continues with its interviews, the absence of Dr. Hlophe is a reminder of the ongoing struggle to maintain the sanctity of the judiciary and the importance of upholding the rule of law. JSC has announced in an interview with Enca that it has not yet received any official notification regarding Dr. John Hlophe’s resignation from the Commission. As the situation develops, the JSC and the public continue to await formal confirmation.
As the story develops, the nation watches with keen interest to see how this decision will impact the future composition and functioning of the JSC, and by extension, the judiciary.
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