Questions have been raised about the timing of Western Cape High Court President John Hlophe’s suspension as President Cyril Ramaphosa heads into a re-election campaign, little over a week after surviving a possible impeachment.
Also read: President Ramaphosa suspends Western Cape Judge President
Yesterday, the president’s office announced that Ramaphosa had opted to suspend Hlophe, as per the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), pending a parliamentary vote on his removal from office.
The recommendation came after 11 justices of the constitutional court lodged a complaint against the president of the provincial court in May 2008.
It was alleged that Hlophe attempted to influence the outcome of certain cases before the Constitutional Court in favour of former president Jacob Zuma.
According to Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Ngwenya, the president received the JSC report in July.
“In order to ensure continuity and stability in the work of the divisional high court, the suspension, which is in effect immediately, is on the condition that Judge President Hlophe completes all part-heard matters and reserved judgments,” Magwenya said, adding that Ramaphosa had to strike a balance between Hlophe’s rights, those of the public, and the interests of the judiciary.
“Due to the long history and complexity of the matter, President Ramaphosa took time to carefully consider all the permutations of the JSC recommendations, including obtaining guidance from an independent legal opinion.”
Meanwhile, speaking to IOL, political analyst Professor Zweli Ndevu said the timing of the suspension was concerning.
“I am thinking that it will have no material effects on the conference unless there (are) matters sitting before that court, however Hlophe is known to be very sympathetic to Zuma’s REC (faction),” said Ndevu.
“This could be a calculated strategy to ensure that they don’t run to the Western Cape (high court) to get relief when things don’t go their way.”
“The timing of the suspension is very worrisome, could the president not have waited for the conference to pass first? This could work in his favour or badly backfire.”
In a letter on Wednesday, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, announced that deputy president of the Western Cape High Court, Judge Patricia Goliath would step in as acting judge president for the duration of Hlophe’s suspension.
Also read:
Judge Hlophe says his decision is final on trial venue for alleged gangster
Picture: Cape{town}Etc Library