Former Constitutional Court Judge Zak Yacoob has accused impeached Western Cape judge president John Hlophe of never being independent.
Yacoob claims that Hlophe’s recent move to join the MK party confirms long-standing suspicions.
His claims come in response to Hlophe’s decision to enter politics and join Umkhonto Wesizwe, the political party associated with former president Jacob Zuma.
Hlophe has also been sworn in as a member of the National Assembly and is now a leader of the MK in Parliament.
“It has shown now that he has not been independent from day one but has been a Zuma supporter. That is why he tried to influence the Constitution.
“I always thought he was not independent, and he has shown his true colours. I can say it now openly. At that time, he was a sitting judge, and it was hard for me, but now it is absolutely clear,” said Yacoob.
Last week, Hlophe was in Durban where he addressed legal professionals, saying that the Constitution needs to be changed.
He also criticised Moeletsi Mbeki, accusing him of undermining those who are still fighting for land restitution.
Hlophe was accused during the Zuma arms deal case of trying to influence other judges to be lenient towards Zuma.
In his response, Hlophe stated that his only “sin” was to say to two Constitutional Court judges in isiZulu that he and colleagues were counting on them for this unprecedented case.
“They even offered me a golden handshake of R10-million at that time to leave the bench and take early retirement, but I refused.
“My only sin was to tell my colleagues in isiZulu that sesethembe nina madoda (we are pinning our hopes on you over this case),” said Hlophe.
Pictured above: Retired Judge Zak Yacoob says impeached judge John Hlophe has revealed his true colours and was never independent.
Source: X
