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JSC to meet sooner on Hlophe ruling

John Hlophe hearing and judges of Constitutonal Court was held public.After Judicial Service Commission decision to start all over again.PIC ;ELIZABETH SEJAKE. 30/07/2009. © THE TIMES
John Hlophe hearing and judges of Constitutonal Court was held public.After Judicial Service Commission decision to start all over again.PIC ;ELIZABETH SEJAKE. 30/07/2009. © THE TIMES

The Judicial Service Commission's litigation committee will meet soon to consider this week's high court ruling in the Cape Judge President John Hlophe's affair.

The Judicial Service Commission's litigation committee will meet soon to consider this week's high court ruling in the Cape Judge President John Hlophe's affair.

Commission spokesperson Dumisa Ntsebeza said yesterday: "Obviously we haven't got the luxury of taking forever on this matter."

He said the committee, headed by senior counsel Ishmael Semenya, would be advised in turn by the commission's lawyers.

"The lawyers will give advice to the committee and therefore to the JSC as to what action should be taken, if any."

He said he had a sense that Semenya would want to call a meeting of the committee and lawyers as soon as possible, possibly this coming weekend.

On Monday the Cape high court declared the commission's decision to dismiss gross misconduct charges against Judge Hlophe, pictured, unconstitutional and invalid.

Judges of the Constitutional Court had accused Judge Hlophe of trying to influence a ruling they were about to make on President Jacob Zuma. The high court challenge was brought by Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.

Monday's ruling upheld her argument that, as premier, she had been entitled to be part of the JSC when it made its decision on Hlophe.

Zille said the JSC would have to redo the process and expected an invite to attend.

The JSC also has the option of taking the ruling on appeal. - Sapa

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