John Hlophe
John Hlophe is a South African jurist and politician who served as Judge President of the Western Cape Division of the High Court before his impeachment and removal from office in 2024. He became the first judge in South Africa's democratic history to be impeached by Parliament. Hlophe was appointed to the bench in 1995 and rose to become Judge President of the Cape High Court in 2000, making him one of the most senior judges in the country. His judicial career was marked by controversy, including a long-running complaint of gross misconduct related to allegations that he improperly approached Constitutional Court justices in 2008 to influence their judgment in cases involving then-President Jacob Zuma. The Judicial Service Commission found him guilty of gross misconduct in 2021, and Parliament voted to impeach him in February 2024. Following his removal from the judiciary, Hlophe entered politics and was elected to the National Assembly as a member of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), the political formation led by Jacob Zuma. He was subsequently appointed as the party's leader in Parliament. His transition from the judiciary to active politics, particularly his alignment with Zuma, has been a subject of significant public and political debate in South Africa. Hlophe's career trajectory reflects the complex intersection of law, politics and accountability in post-apartheid South Africa.
John Hlophe Updates
Parliament statement on the Impeachment Committee membership
26th May 2026 The Speaker of the National Assembly has received the names of Members from political parties who will serve on the Impeachment Committee. The... →
Daily Podcast – March 18, 2026
18th March 2026 Making headlines: MKP reinstates John Hlophe Eskom offers 6.5% pay raise in fourth talks round And, African nations to borrow $155bn this year,... →
MKP reinstates John Hlophe to leadership 
By: Sashnee Moodley 18th March 2026 The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has welcomed back, with immediate effect, suspended party member John Hlophe as its first deputy president and leader in... →
Justice committee briefed on gross misconduct of judges
25th February 2026 The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development today receive a briefing on the referral of findings of gross misconduct against... →
SA: Buti Manamela: Address by Minister of Higher Education and Training, 2026 State of the Nation Debate (17/02/2026)
20th February 2026 Then followed a brief one-night stand as MK Party Chief Whip. Although your opposition politics is about as unreliable as your backhand in tennis,... →
Daily Podcast – November 06, 2025
By: Lumkile Nkomfe 6th November 2025 Making headlines: MKP suspends John Hlophe, reverses Des van Rooyen’s appointment; ANC celebrates by-election victories in Mpumalanga, Limpopo;... →
MKP suspends John Hlophe, reverses Des van Rooyen’s appointment
By: Thabi Shomolekae 6th November 2025 The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has issued a precautionary suspension to the party's deputy president and leader of the MKP parliamentary caucus Dr John... →
Tony Yengeni is MKP’s second deputy president
By: Thabi Shomolekae 23rd October 2025 uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) president Jacob Zuma on Thursday announced former African National Congress National Executive Committee (NEC) member... →
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