The government spent R6,78-million covering Western Cape Judge John Hlophe’s legal fees, incurred in his dispute with the judges of the Constitutional Court, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said on Monday.
“The total amount paid to date is R6 785 920,” Radebe said in reply to a written parliamentary question from the Democratic Alliance, adding that there might be further costs.
The bitter wrangle over allegations by Constitutional Court judges that Hlophe sought to improperly influence them on matters relating to President Jacob Zuma’s now-abandoned corruption case was likely to continue following a court ruling in April setting aside the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) proceedings last year that cleared Hlophe.
The Cape High Court found that the JSC was not properly constituted when it heard the complaint because it excluded Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.
The JSC was appealing the ruling.
Radebe said Hlophe’s legal fees for representation when he appeared before the JSC came to more than R2,2-million.
Legal representation for his appearances in court in various stages of the fight with the Constitutional Court and the JSC cost more than R4-million. His failed court bid, along with the JSC, to keep the media out of hearings dealing with his case cost the state R559 291.
Radebe said his department paid for lawyers to fight Hlophe’s case because the issue arose from judicial work.
“The standing policy in my department at the time was that legal expenses incurred by a judicial officer and which arise from judicial work, whilst the judicial officer is still in office, shall be paid by the department,” the minister said. — Sapa