Judge John Hlophe Slams SA Justice System, Calls It "White Man’s Law”
- Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe has criticised the South African law system
- According to Hlophe, the system is racially unjust and what he refers to as "white man's law"
- Judge Hlophe made these statements while delivering a lecture at the University of South Africa’s Department of Public, Constitutional, and International Law on Monday
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Judge John Hlope of the Western Cape recently made very strong remarks about the South African law and justice system while delivering a lecture he was invited to give at Unisa's Department of Public, Constitutional and International Law on Monday this week.
Source: Getty Images
According to Hlophe, the countries law is still based on the ideals and values that were brought into the country by colonialists and a mixture of English and Roman-Dutch laws that are not applicable to the average black South African.
In the same breath, Hlophe criticised South African judges for being what he calls "steep in politics". He also said that these judges are in denial about their involvement in South African politics.
“They continue to ridicule those of us who drive the transformation agenda, calling us names and calling for us to be impeached. They use the law and other platforms to disguise their obvious political agenda," said Hlophe, according to an IOL article.
Judge Hlophe then touched on the fact that the South African judiciary consists of members appointed by the National Party who were selected solely from ranks of practising white male advocates, which makes it harder to change the dynamics of the "white man's law" in the country.
He also added that the race of the judiciary system plays an integral role in how justice is served in the country, according to his lecture that was shared on the Unisa website.
In other Briefly News reports, Western Cape High Court judge John Hlope was set to face a tribunal after being accused of multiple 'gross misconduct' offences. Hlophe has apparently upset staff at the court, facing accusations of both verbal and physical abuse.
Despite having served as Judge President for many years, his deputy Patricia Goliath had filed another complaint with Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng confirming that a tribunal will be held.
Democratic Alliance shadow justice minister Glynnis Breytenbach is campaigning for Hlophe to be immediately suspended. Breytenbach is concerned about the reputational damage the ordeal may do to the judiciary.
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Source: Briefly News
