DA celebrates High Court ruling against John Hlophe
CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) said that Monday's high court ruling against the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party's parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, was a victory for the rule of law and the Constitution.
The Western Cape High Court found Hlophe to neither be fit nor proper to serve on the body that interviews candidates to become judges.
The DA was one of three bodies that filed separate legal applications in this matter after the National Assembly approved Hlophe's designation in July last year.
The DA, Freedom Front Plus and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) objected during the vote.
READ: WC High Court finds its former Judge President John Hlophe unfit to serve on JSC
Hlophe subsequently resigned from the JSC after the DA obtained an interdict to stop him from participating in the work of the commission until the court had heard the merits of its case.
DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said that Monday's judgment stressed that public confidence in the judiciary's composition and the administration of justice was vital.
"It cannot be that a disgraced judge, an impeached judge who has been found guilty of manipulating processes of the court, of trying to influence other judges unduly for political reasons, must serve on the judicial service commission, particularly given the important role it plays in appointing other judges across the land. So, we are very happy that this is a win for democracy, this is a win for the people of South Africa. It is a win for the independence of the courts."
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