After a lengthy fight, Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe and retired Judge Nkola Motata have been removed from office by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Hlophe was removed from the bench by a National Assembly vote, having been accused of trying to influence the Constitutional Court in a matter related to former President Jacob Zuma.

Hlophe had been found guilty of gross misconduct by the Judicial Service Commission, after which the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services recommended his dismissal.

Motata was found guilty of gross misconduct following a drunk driving conviction in 2009.

This marks the first time in South Africa’s democracy that judges have been impeached.

In the National Assembly vote, 305 MPs voted for Hlophe’s removal, while 27 voted against and 296 MPs voted for Motata’s removal, one voted against and 13 abstained.