Parliament Speaker receives objection to Hlophe’s nomination to serve on the JSC

JOHANNESBURG - Parliament said that Speaker Thoko Didiza has received an objection to the MK Party’s John Hlophe’s nomination to serve on the Judicial Services Commission (JSC).

But Parliament is yet to respond to the group of six civil society organisations which include Freedom Under Law, Judges Matter and the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC).

ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli last week withdrew the party’s motion to nominate MPs to serve on the JSC, which included Hlophe, saying the matter still needs further discussion.

In the letter to Didiza the organisations said it is vital that individuals designated to serve on the JSC "demonstrate a commitment to upholding constitutional democracy."

Hlophe became the country’s first judge president to be impeached by parliament, before his surprise return to the very assembly as the MK party’s parliamentary leader.

Parliament Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo confirmed that the speaker has received the correspondence and that she will respond in due course.

Whether Hlophe remains on the list will only be clear when Parliament publishes the names of those designated to the JSC in its order paper before Tuesday's sitting of the National Assembly.

It will also see Parliament elect NCOP members to the Pan-African Parliament as well as Chairpersons who will chair key oversight committees under the Government of National Unity.