Ramaphosa suspends Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe
President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe, the Presidency confirmed on Wednesday.
Hlophe’s suspension follows on a recommendation made by the Judicial Services Commission.
Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says Hlophe has been suspended pending impeachment proceedings in the National Assembly.
"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,” he added.
"President Ramaphosa received the JSC report on the 27th of July 2022.
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."
In May 2008, eleven justices of the Constitutional Court lodged a complaint with the JSC against Judge Hlophe for what they believed to have been an improper attempt to influence the outcome of certain cases in favour of former president Jacob Zuma.
