Judges Matter urges 'only the best MPs' for JSC
Judges Matter has called on Parliament to select only the best MPs to serve on the Judicial Service Commission and Magistrates Commission.
This comes after the nomination of MK Party parliamentary leader John Hlophe to sit on the Judicial Service Commission.
The former Western Cape Judge President was impeached after being found guilty of misconduct by the very same commission.
He was found guilty of attempting to influence Constitutional Court justices in a corruption matter involving former president Jacob Zuma.
The former president now leads the Umkhonto Wesizwe party.
"For several years, Judges Matter has called for a code of conduct to be developed for both the Judicial Service Commission and the Magistrates Commission," said Judges Matter spokesperson Mbekezeli Benjamin.
"The code must hold commissioners to high ethical standards, with the option of recalling them should the commissioner fail to uphold the code."
Benjamin said lawmakers should make amendments that will help to scrutinise the quality of MPs appointed to serve on the JSC.
"But while that process is underway, Parliament needs to come to the party and select only those members who will meet high ethical standards.
"An obvious disqualifier is anyone who has been found guilty or has been implicated in serious ethical or misconduct.
"They represent the people of South Africa, and it's time that Parliament must play its role," he added.
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