Cape judge president John Hlophe has gone back to work despite an injunction from the Justice Minister to stay away, Cape Times reported.

Cape judge president John Hlophe has gone back to work despite an injunction from the Justice Minister to stay away, Cape Times reported.

The newspaper said yesterday Hlophe, pictured, was back at his desk on Monday, and told a reporter he was "exercising my right to work".

Hlophe, who asked for special leave in June last year first returned to his office last Tuesday.

However, Justice Minister Enver Surty objected, and asked Hlophe to make representations on why he thought he should go back to work.

Hlophe has publicly accused the minister of trying to use the special leave as a device to "indefinitely sideline" him from executing his duties as a judge. - Sapa