The Democratic Alliance has asked Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla what she is doing to resolve the issue of Judge John Hlophe.
”What measures [are] the minister of justice going to put into place to ensure the speedy and transparent conclusion regarding the Judicial Service Commission [JSC] inquiry into the allegations against Cape Judge President John Hlophe?” the DA asked in a written parliamentary question tabled on Wednesday.
The DA said it had noted with great concern Hlophe’s continued ”obvious contempt” for judicial process, spokesperson Tertius Delport said in a statement.
The Cape Times reported on Wednesday that Hlophe had again failed to answer questions on his relationship with investment group Oasis.
It said Hlophe had failed to meet a deadline set to answer questions put to him by the JSC.
The questions would now be put to Hlophe for a third time.
Earlier this week, JSC spokesperson Milton Seligson said he had not been informed either way by the commission.
The JSC is the only body that may recommend the impeachment of a judge. Should the commission decide to do so, it will be the first time in South African history.
Earlier this year, Oasis Holding Group was locked in a legal battle with Judge Siraj Desai, whom it accused of defamation after remarks he made at a public meeting.
Hlophe, who had been receiving consultancy payments from Oasis, controversially gave the group the permission it needed to sue Desai.
Desai argued Hlophe did not have the authority to decide on the prosecution as he was compromised because of his relationship with Oasis.
Oasis abandoned its claim in May, after it emerged that Hlophe would be grilled in court over his decision if the case went ahead.
Since the case was dropped, the JSC has received documentation from the court proceedings in the Oasis case and has added more questions to Hlophe.
Though the JSC found no evidence last year of wrongdoing in Hlophe’s receiving the Oasis payments, Cape Town advocate Peter Hazell has asked for a ”fuller ”investigation” into Hlophe’s conduct.
Delport said the JSC had still to finalise complaints against Hlophe, which included allegations of conduct unbecoming of a judge, contempt of court, bringing the administration of justice into disrepute and gross incompetence. – Sapa