Western Cape top judge 'favoured his wife'
|Published
ACCUSED: Prez. Judge Hlophe ACCUSED: Prez. Judge Hlophe
Western Cape Judge President, John Hlophe, has been accused of nepotism and favouring his wife, Gayaat Salie-Hlophe, “a junior judge”, with high-profile cases.
The Judicial Service Commission on Wednesday confirmed it was investigating allegations of misconduct against Hlophe, following a complaint by his deputy, Patricia Goliath.
JSC spokesperson, JC Fourie, said: “The JSC can confirm a complaint has been lodged. Like all other complaints against judges, such complaints should be referred to the judicial committee.”
In the complaint, Judge Goliath claimed both Hlophe and his wife are involved in conduct that impinges on the dignity of the court.
“I am left with no option but to pursue it in the light of the continuous and sustained assault upon my dignity by Hlophe who makes my working conditions intolerable,” wrote Goliath.
‘JUNIOR’: Gayaat
She accuses Hlophe of stripping her of her powers after returning from judge duty in the Constitutional Court. Goliath said the other judges were not informed of this.
She said late last year Hlophe even appointed a junior judge, instead of her, to act as judge president when he was away.
Goliath accuses Hlophe of going against her recommendation by allocating the high-profile case of estate agent executive Jason Rhode to his wife, “who was a junior judge”.
Rhode was sentenced to 20 years for killing his wife, but the Supreme Court of Appeal released him on R200 000 in December pending his appeal.
Goliath claims Salie-Hlophe wields enormous power and was involved in the running of the court and appointment of acting judges and also accused Hlophe of verbally abusing a judge and physically attacking another.
She said the bench was divided and she wanted judiciary intervention from the judiciary.
Hlophe’s lawyer, Barnabas Xulu, has not yet responded to questions relating to the matter.