By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Disgraced former Western Cape judge president John Mandlakayise Hlophe has been appointed the parliamentary chief whip of a third biggest political party.
According to the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party correspondence dated June 20, 2024, reveals Hlophe had been assigned to the key role in the national assembly.
In the May 29 elections, the MK party amassed 58 seats in Parliament. The party refused to attend the first sitting of the National Assembly on June 14 where members of Parliament were sworn-in.
Hlophe’s appointment comes after he was impeached earlier this year, after Parliament voted in favour of the motion.
About 305 members voted in support while 25 voted against his removal.
He was the first judge since democracy to be impeached.
In 2008, Hlophe faced accusations of trying to sway the Constitutional Court’s ruling regarding the Scorpions search and seizure operatios on the assets of French arms manufacturer Thint and Jacob Zuma.
The judges accused Hlophe of having unduly sought to influence a court matter relating to corruption charges against Zuma. He was, at the time, the deputy president to the head of state, Thabo Mbeki.
“Sesithemble kinina,” an IsiZulu phrase loosely translated as you’re our last hope, was used to nail Hlophe. It is believed that Hlophe uttered the words in an attempt to influence Judges Bess Nkabinde and Chris Jaftha. This was in an attempt for the judges to favour Zuma in their ruling.
He was then found guilty of gross misconduct by the Judicial Services Commission (JSC).
An internal memo announced Hlophe’s appointment, this as the organisation tries to set up its administration and financial operations in the National Assembly.
“Following recent communication from parliament regarding the allocation of funds consequent to our representation in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures, we are at a critical stage in the structuring of our party’s administrative and financial operations,” reads the communique in part.
“This measure aims to ensure stability, uniformity in operations, and effective management of resources as we work towards solidifying the foundation of our provincial and regional structures.
“But also to lay the foundations for an all-out local government elections,” said the letter authored by party secretary Arthur Zwane.
Many see his comeback as anger directed to his loss of title of “judge” and right to remuneration for life.
A person who has been impeached and removed from office loses the status and title of ‘judge’ along with all the benefits that come with it, including the guaranteed salary and benefits for life.
Meanwhile the party has won a ward in KwaZulu-Natal following the province’s by-elections held on Wednesday, with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) scored major wins in the by-elections.
Twelve by-elections took place on Wednesday across the province, with the IFP winning seven wards, the African National Congress (ANC) securing three, the Democratic Alliance (DA) one, and MK Party also winning one ward.