On Monday this week a disciplinary tribunal appointed by the Judicial Service Commission commenced a scheduled fortnight of hearings into a complaint laid by the justices of the Constitutional Court against Western Cape Judge President Hlophe (see September 22 post below). Although FUL itself is not formally a party to the proceedings, they are a direct result of FUL’s efforts over a period of several years to ensure that the complaint is properly investigated.

The proceedings have been held up by technical manoeuvres aimed at blocking the enquiry. This morning, however, the tribunal rejected the objections and postponed the hearings until next Tuesday. FUL is delighted that at last there is to be a proper enquiry into what really happened between Judge Hlophe and the two justices five-and-a-half years ago.