MK party vows to fight John Hlope JSC High Court ruling: 'We are utterly disappointed and shocked'

Tsidi Madia, in for 702's Clement Manyathela, is joined by Willie Aucamp, DA National Spokesperson; Mbekezeli Benjamin, Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter, and Nhlamulo Ndlela, MK Party Spokesperson.

Listen below:

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party says it will not merely accept a ruling of the High Court that its parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, should not be allowed to serve on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The MK Party says the ruling is unconstitutional and a travesty of justice.

The JSC is the very same commission that recommended Hlophe be suspended from Parliament in 2022.

"We are utterly disappointed and shocked at this outcome."

- Nhlamulo Ndlela, Spokesperson - MK Party 

Ndlela says all Parliamentary processes were followed in Hlophe's election to the JSC.

"Parliament has its own rules, and when you're a member of Parliament, you are eligible to participate in any committee; you should not be restricted... and in this case, Dr Hlophe was elected to participate in the JSC."

- Nhlamulo Ndlela, Spokesperson - MK Party 

During the conversation, a listener called in. "The public voted for the MKP, the MKP voted for Hlophe to be there," he said.

Madia agreed, adding, "What the party owes the JSC is a warm body."

Ndlela says that having unelected judges reverse Parliamentary decisions is a serious issue.

"We are not going to take this lying down...we are going to take this to the Constitutional Court."

- Nhlamulo Ndlela, Spokesperson - MK Party 

The Democratic Alliance, meanwhile, says that Monday’s High Court ruling was a victory for the rule of law and the Constitution.

"If you look at section 165 (4), it is very clear that Parliament has got a responsibility to promote the impartiality and the objectivity of courts."

- Willie Aucamp, National Spokesperson - Democratic Alliance

"It is the same committee that proposed he must be impeached, so it is definitely not in the interests of justice to have a person with a tainted history like John Hlope serving on the JSC."

- Willie Aucamp, National Spokesperson - Democratic Alliance

Aucamp adds that, according to the Constitution, the MKP is not necessarily entitled to a representative on the JSC.

"The Constitution says Parliament must adjudicate six people, three out of government and three out of the opposition... the opposition is not just MK."

- Willie Aucamp, National Spokesperson - Democratic Alliance

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