Zuma throws Hlophe under the bus for bungling the Phadi court case

Former judge unilaterally replaced MKP lawyers

- Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

MK Party president Jacob Zuma has thrown his deputy, Dr Mandlakayise John Hlophe, under the bus - accusing him of unilaterally changing lawyers, causing the party's humiliating defeat in the organisation's court case against its Mpumalanga convener Mary Phadi.

In a blistering affidavit before the Mbombela High Court, Zuma reveals that Hlophe sidelined the party's official lawyers, KMNS Inc, and instructed a different law firm, Xulu Attorneys, to handle the case - a move Zuma says he knew nothing about.

This resulted in a catastrophic legal blunder that saw MKP failing to oppose Phadi's first court application, allowing her to secure a default judgment reinstating her as both an MKP member, provincial convener and leader of the party in the Mpumalanga provincial legislature. Phadi was restored in all positions after approaching the Mbombela High Court last December following her expulsion from the party.

"In the new year and unbeknownst to the secretary-general, the deputy president, out of genuine concern, gave instructions to a separate firm of attorneys... which was never followed up," Zuma stated under oath. "Any genuine confusion... was resolved... but no prejudice was suffered by any party as a result thereof."