Ex-judge Hlophe bounces back

COMMISSIONER: JSC ELECTION GETS MIXED REACTION

- Eric Naki Molefe Seeletsa

Nominated by MK with support of the ANC, but DA objects.

Mixed views greeted the election of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party MP and impeached judge John Hlophe into the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The former judge president of the Western Cape was elected yesterday to serve on the JSC, a body that appoint judges and regulates their ethical and professional conduct in South Africa.

MPs were also elected to serve as commissioners on the JSC.

Hlophe was impeached for attempting to influence a judgment of the Constitutional Court on a matter pertaining to former president Jacob Zuma, who is now a leader of MK.

He was nominated by his party, with the surprising support of the ANC, but strong objections from the DA.

Parliamentary rules do not prevent an impeached judge from being appointed as a JSC commissioner, a reason put forward by the ANC to back Hlophe's appointment. This surprised many because the ANC voted against Hlophe in February this year.