judicial independencelatest news & developments
Crisis: Malawian President Peter Mutharika’s veto exposes a legislature willing to override judicial authority in order to retain control over billions of Malawi kwacha in public development funds. Photo: State House Malawi

Malawi’s constitutional standoff

President vetoes attempt by lawmakers to amend the constitution to retain control

  • Eyaaz
7 min read
The High Court has overturned a Home Affairs official’s decision to reject the asylum application of a man who fled his home country after he was imprisoned for homosexuality. Illustration: Lisa Nelson

Judge slams home affairs department for ‘unintelligible, illogical babble’ in gay case

An immigration official rejected the asylum application of a man from Chad who was jailed solely for homosexuality in his home country

  • Eyaaz
4 min read
John Hlophe was impeached for trying to sway two apex court justices to decide applications linked to the arms deal in Jacob Zuma’s favour. Picture: Werner Beukes/SAPA

Hlophe’s return would undermine integrity of JSC, court told

The unrepentant conduct of the impeached-judge-turned-politician makes him unsuitable for a body that chooses and disciplines judges

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read
Former Western Cape Judge President and current uMkhonto weSizwe party leader in parliament, John Hlophe, at the swearing-in ceremony of MK party members at Good Hope Chamber on June 25, 2024 in Cape Town. (Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

High court interdict bars Hlophe from taking up seat at Judicial Service Commission

It was granted pending the hearing of three applications for review of the decision by MPs to appoint the former judge to the same commission that urged his impeachment

  • Emsie Ferreira
5 min read
Retired judge Robert Nugent has urged reform in the Judicial Service Commission, emphasising the need to prioritise judicial independence

Nugent calls for reform in judicial appointments, condemns ‘political caucusing’ at JSC

The retired judge has urged reform in the Judicial Service Commission, emphasising the need to prioritise judicial independence

  • Des Erasmus
8 min read
The JSC in 2021 affirmed a finding by the Judicial Conduct Tribunal that Hlophe had committed gross misconduct by raising a pending ruling relating to former president and now MK party leader Jacob Zuma’s arms deal corruption case with two constitutional court justices. File photo

AfriForum heads to Concourt to challenge Hlophe’s appointment to Judicial Service Commission

The civil rights group argues that it was irrational and that parliament failed in its duty to oversee the commission

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read