MK Party says ready for legal challenge over Hlophe's appointment to JSC
At least three cases have been filed, wherein the complainants said Parliament's decision to approve the appointment of the former judge to the body was irrational and unconstitutional.
MK Party parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, in Parliament. Picture: @ParliamentofRSA/X
CAPE TOWN - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party says it will meet its detractors in the courts over the designation of its parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
At least three cases have been filed, wherein the complainants said Parliament's decision to approve the appointment of the former judge to the body was irrational and unconstitutional.
However, the MK Party says the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other civil groups are racist and hypocritical in their approach to the matter.
The DA, Freedom Under Law, and AfriForum are among those trying to stop Hlophe from interviewing candidates to be judges.
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They said Parliament's decision was unreasonable and will undermine confidence in the JSC after it recommended Hlophe's impeachment.
With no legal impediment to Hlophe's appointment, MK Party Chief Whip Sihle Ngubane said Hlophe's designation was above board.
"Hlophe qualifies 110% to be a member of that committee. He's a party leader of the MK Party. He was sworn in by the judge to be a member of parliament for the MK party," said Ngubane.
According to Ngubane, arguments raised by the complainants in their court documents are hypocritical.
"We will meet them in the court. We are not going to sit back and relax and say we must now start looking at Dr John Hlophe, can you step aside?" Ngubane wondered.
Parliament is yet to indicate whether it will oppose the applications that are due to be heard next month, ahead of the next sitting of the JSC in October.