Hlophe delays matters further

1 August 2023

More than 15 years after the 2008 misconduct complaint against Judge President John Hlophe was lodged, he appears to be finding creative new ways to delay the proceedings.

It has now emerged that suspended Judge President Hlophe’s appeal against the gross misconduct findings made against him has lapsed, as he states he is unable to afford the printing costs to produce a full record of the decade-long proceedings. Hlophe is now shamelessly attempting to secure unlimited and unconditional taxpayer funding for his litigation. It is beyond doubt that this funding will then subsequently be used to fund further Stalingrad tactics.

This occurs two years after the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) found Hlophe guilty of gross misconduct, and six months after President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Hlophe from office. The finding of gross misconduct resulted in Parliament initiating removal proceedings under section 177 of the Constitution.

The integrity and esteem with which the Judiciary is held is paramount to South Africa’s future. The DA calls on the Portfolio Committee of Justice to continue with removal proceedings under Section 177(1)(b) of the Constitution, as opposed to waiting for the outcome of further court proceedings which are serving only to stall these important removal proceedings.

Issued by Glynnis Breytenbach, DA Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, 1 August 2023