Neither Parliament, nor the JSC or even the lawyers of suspended Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe can give clarity on the status of his litigation and impeachment proceedings, Die Burger reports.

The report notes that the only certainty seems to be that Hlophe missed the deadline to petition the SCA, as he apparently plans to do.

Hlophe unsuccessfully challenged a recommendation by the JSC Tribunal in the High Court and was refused leave to appeal.

Asked about the implications of the lapsed deadline, JSC spokesperson Sesi Baloyi SC referred all questions to Parliament.

The latter placed impeachment proceedings on hold ‘pending litigation’.

Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the latest decision stands that the matter must ‘go its natural course in the courts’ before the parliamentary impeachment process can begin.

Barnabas Xulu, Hlophe’s attorney, insisted that the matter is ‘pending’. 

He said Hlophe still plans to approach the SCA, but lacks funds.

Xulu said he has not been paid since 2020 and they still need to transcribe proceedings. In the meantime, Hlophe’s challenge in the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) to force the state to fund his legal fees is also in limbo. No date has been set.

Xulu said he has applied ‘several times’ for a date, but has not received one.

Full report in Die Burger (subscription needed)