The term of Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng officially comes to an end at midnight on Sunday – amid continued criticism of his pro-Israel comments.
The South African Boycott Divestment Sanctions Coalition says it will continue to pursue Justice Mogoeng over his Pro-Israel comments even after his term ends.
Mogoeng was found guilty by the Judicial Conduct Committee following a complaint that was laid by the Coalition.
He made the comments at a webinar hosted by an Israeli newspaper last year. The coalition’s National Co-ordinator Roshan Dadu says Mogoeng became involved in political controversy which is in contravention of the Judicial service act.
“In this webinar, he clearly contradicted government policy on Palestine by saying that criticising Israel was going against the will of God. The Judicial Service Commission agreed with us and Justice Mojapelo ordered the Chief Justice to issue an unconditional apology for knowingly becoming involved in a political controversy which is in contravention of the Judicial Service Act. However, the Chief Justice not only refused to abide by their order, he went on to state in the public in a prayer meeting that he will never retract or apologise even if 50-million people took to the streets. And he then submitted an appeal.”
Mogoeng became a Constitutional Court Judge in 2009 and was later nominated for the position of Chief Justice by former President Jacob Zuma in 2011.
Chief Justice Mogoeng ordered to apologise for pro-Israel comments:
