EFF statement on the suspension of Judge President John Hlophe by constitutional delinquent Cyril Ramaphosa

14 December 2022

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns the callous and politically-inspired decision to suspend Western Cape Judge President John Hlope, by the constitutional delinquent President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa.

Without any shred of irony or contradiction, Ramaphosa who has been found to have possibly violated the Constitution by a panel of esteemed Judges and legal experts, has suspended Judge President Hlope on accusations of misconduct.

It is ironic because Ramaphosa himself refuses to step-aside or resign in the face of allegations of violating the Constitution, breaching the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act, money laundering, abduction and the misuse of state resources. Ramaphosa has no moral authority to determine whose alleged misconduct warrants suspension or removal from office, while he has disgraced South Africa in the international community.

Furthermore, Ramaphosa's suspension of Judge John Hlope is clouded by a reasonable suspicion that there may be a conflict of interest, in the same way his suspension of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane was biased and conflicted. Ramaphosa's suspension of Judge John Hlope is characterised by an attitude of retaliation, because it was the Western Cape High Court which found that Ramaphosa's suspension of Mkhwebane was unlawful and based on bias, because she decided probe allegations surrounding Phala Phala Farm.

Many factional and captured political commentators had labelled the logical and correct judgment by the Western Cape High Court as influenced by Judge Hlope, because they and Ramaphosa exist in a constant state of irrational anxiety. The narrow mind of Ramaphosa, who is determined to purge his perceived enemies in all spheres of the state is the sole motivation to suspend Judge Hlope.

The EFF has long said that Ramaphosa is determined to compromise the institutions of South Africa to ensure that they exist as instruments of the white- ruling class and its puppets who are in political power. Judge Hlope, who has spoken sharply on the capture of the judiciary by white-supremacists and has been a staunch advocate of land redistribution to African people, has become an enemy of the establishment because of his views.

The need to remove Ramaphosa as a President of South Africa is urgent, and failure to do so will result in this country losing respected and qualified black intellectuals, professionals and jurists in his quest to surrender South Africa to his handlers.

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 14 December 2022