“Constitutional Court and JSC must act urgently” - ACDP

By Tina George
17 June 2008

According to the African Christian Democratic Party the Constitutional Court and Judicial Services Commission must urgently act to restore public confidence in the judiciary and avoid deepening constitutional crisis.

This statement follows claims made against Cape Judge President John Hlophe in which he allegedly tried to lobby for pro-Jacob Zuma rulings.

The ACDP believes that a crisis is being faced within the judiciary following the developments in the Judge Hlophe matter which they believe if not quickly resolved will result in a much deeper constitutional issue.

“It appears now that the constitutional court judges are clearly divided and even possibly motivated by political consideration on the issue as to whether judge Hlophe tried to improperly influence them and as to whether a complaint should be made before the judicial services commission.”

“We as the ACDP believe it is crucial for the constitutional court and the judicial services commission to act urgently and in a transparent manner to restore public confidence in the judiciary and to prevent a deepening constitutional crisis.”

He added that a full and transparent inquiry must be held to determine whether Judge Hlophe tried to improperly influence Constitutional Court judges, and whether Constitutional Court judges themselves acted improperly in releasing a public statement without a proper complaint first having been filed with the JSC.