John Hlophe impeached in National Assembly vote
John Hlophe has bee impeached in an unprecedented move by the National Assembly, effectivelt stripping him of his title and benefits.
Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe has been impeached by MPs in the National Assembly, become the first judge in democratic South Africa to be removed from office.
He was removed after MPs voted for his impeachment, emanating from a finding of guilty over gross judicial misconduct by the Judicial Service Commission.
[BREAKING NEWS] National Assembly votes 305 – 27 for the removal of Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe.
Tune into #Newzroom405 for more details. pic.twitter.com/l150ent1nS
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) February 21, 2024
MPs voted 305 in favour versus 27 against. There were no abstentions. President Cyril Ramaphosa must now implement the decision and send Hlophe a letter confirming his removal as a judge.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hlophe failed in his last-ditch bid to avoid the parliamentary vote on his impeachment, with his application for an urgent interdict to stop the vote, struck from the roll by the Western Cape High Court.
JOHN HLOPHE: JOURNEY TO IMPEACHMENT
Troubles for John Hlophe started in 2008 when he was accused by Constitutional Court (ConCourt) justices Chris Jafta and Bess Nkabinde of trying to influence them over a case involving former president Jacob Zuma, which was before the ConCourt for consideration.
Eleven ConCourt justices lodged a complaint after Jafta and Nkabinda complained that Hlophe “had visited them separately in their chambers to discuss pending judgments” involving corruption cases against Zuma, reported TimesLIVE.
They complained that he had improperly attempted to influence the outcome of the matter in favour of Zuma.
“In April 2021, a tribunal inquiry found Hlophe guilty of gross misconduct, a decision upheld by the JSC (without the parliamentarians) in August 2021,” reports Judges Matter.
On 14 December 2022, Ramaphosa suspended Hlophe from office, as recommended by the JSC.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has on the advice of the Judicial Services Commission and in terms of section 177(3) of the Constitution, decided to suspend Judge President Mandlakayise John Hlophe from his duties pending a decision of the National Assembly as contemplated in section 177 of the Constitution,” the Presidency said in a statement at the time.
“In order to ensure continuity and stability in the work of the divisional high court, the suspension which is in effect immediately, is on condition that Judge President Hlophe completes all part-heard matters and reserved judgments.”
More to follow