Parliamentary Speaker says former Judge President John Hlophe’s appointment to the JSC, Constitutional

Akani Nkuna

Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, has found that the designation of John Hlophe as one of the six representatives of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is in accordance with the Constitution.

Following the controversy surrounding Hlophe’s appointment, Didiza said on Tuesday that all actions taken in Parliament, including Hlophe’s designation, were conducted in accordance with the established rules and procedures, and that there is no rule or Constitutional provision explicitly barring a Member of Parliament (MP) from being nominated to serve in the JSC.

“Neither the Constitution nor the rules of Parliament automatically disqualify Dr Hlophe from being designated to the JSC based on his past removal as a judge,” she said.

Opposition parties, such as the DA and civil groups including Afriforum, Corruption Watch and Freedom Under Law objected to Hlophe’s designation to the JSC saying his appointment would affect the propriety, legality and integrity