Newspaper Article

Does Hlophe approve of the campaign waged on his behalf?

Chaskalson, Arthur

2009

Overview

I am not aware of anyone in South Africa or elsewhere having suggested or implied that \"black folk\" can never be \"true apostles of judicial independence\" or \"sophisticated masters of constitutional law\". One comment, however, needs to be made. It is a complaint alluded to by Mr [Paul Ngobeni] in his campaign; the complaint against Judge President [John Hlophe], which is presently before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) It comes from 13 of the most senior judges in our country. All but four are black. Unlike Judge President Hlophe, who took no part in the struggle against apartheid, the present chief justice and deputy chief justice and others who signed the complaint have a proud record of having been active in that struggle, the ultimate struggle for transformation, and having done so at considerable risk to themselves and their families. No one could legitimately suggest that they are \"self-hating blacks\" opposed to transformation, or are part of a racist conspiracy to undermine the judge president because he has shown himself to be in favour of transformation. The report was made by Hlophe directly to the minister of justice. When the report came to their attention, the heads of court expressed a determination \"to confront and deal with issues of racism and sexism that are brought to our attention\", and those who experience such conduct were urged \"to raise the issue immediately so that it can be dealt with\".

• Publisher: Independent Online (South Africa)
• Subject: Hlophe, John / Ngobeni, Paul