The organisation monitoring the judiciary in South Africa, Judges Matter has described Dr. John Hlophe’s resignation from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) as surprising after his uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party fought against attempts to remove him.
The MK party’s Parliamentary leader announced his resignation on Monday – days after the Western Cape High Court interdicted him from participating in the JSC interviews to fill vacant posts in courts in the country.
The organisation’s Research and Advocacy Officer, Mbekezeli Benjamin says, “We are surprised to see the MK Party withdraw Dr John Hlope as a member of the Judicial Service Commission. You’d recall that in the last few weeks in the Western Cape High Court, the MK party and Dr. Hlophe himself argued very strongly against the removal of Dr. Hlophe as a member and the MK party filed very strong arguments in the Western Cape High court to argue against DA’s application.”
In a statement, the MK party says it has written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza withdrawing Hlophe’s nomination as one of the designated members to serve on the JSC.
The official opposition says the JSC is currently improperly constituted and a violation of the Constitution as it has failed to meet the prescribed minimum threshold of three members from opposition parties.
This takes place while Part B of the DA and Corruption Watch’s application was expected to be heard on the first of November.
VIDEO |JSC kicks off interviews amid John Hlophe’s withdrawal:
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