Langa: No ulterior motive

2009-07-30 19:16

Johannesburg - There was no ulterior motive behind lodging a complaint against Cape Judge President John Hlophe with the Judicial Service Commission, Chief Justice Pius Langa said on Thursday.

Speaking at a preliminary probe into the complaint in Johannesburg, Langa said: "I categorically deny the allegation of an ulterior motive.

"I'm very much aware that I am the chief justice of South Africa and head of the judiciary in South Africa. The judge president (Hlophe) is head of the 9a- division and he is a member of the judiciary."

Langa said he was sensitive to what happened to the judiciary, particularly with regard to the dignity, integrity and esteem in which it was being held.

"I have no motive at all to damage any aspect of the judiciary, and in this particular case I have no motive to damage the judge president so I deny the allegation.

"Once I became aware of the allegations, and this had happened, I had no choice but to take the matter forward."

Langa said the matter was not taken lightly and Nkabinde and Jafta, to his observation, looked as though they did not want to be in the position they were in.

"We do regard it as a very serious issue - it's something I would rather I did not have to deal with", Langa said.

- SAPA