Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng lodges an appeal on JCC’S finding against him on Israel comments

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Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng is sticking to his guns on his initial statement he made about Israel during a virtual meeting.

He was taken to task after a complaint was raised against him at the Judicial Committee Conduct (JCC) for saying “as a Christian” I had to “love and pray for Israel because I know hatred for Israel by me and for my nation, will can only, attract unprecedented curses upon our nation”.

The matter was chaired by retired Gauteng deputy judge president Phineas Mojapelo, and he said in his findings that Mogoeng breached the code of judicial conduct by becoming involved in political controversy or activity and lending the prestige of judicial office to advance his private interests or the private interests of others.

“Judges are to stay out of politics, and are only permitted to pronounce on the legal and constitutional boundaries that may apply to those politics.”

“When called upon to pronounce, they do so on the basis of the constitution and the law, and not on the basis of any preconceived notions — not even religion — however committed to those notions. That is what the constitution and their oaths or affirmation bind them to” said Mojapelo.

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng lodged his appeal on Saturday against the JCC’s finding of misconduct, and its directive that he must apologise for his comments on SA’s foreign policy on Israel.