Malema interviews judges after walkout: report

After walking out of his disciplinary hearing, EFF leader Julius Malema proceeded to a Cape Town hotel to interview judicial candidates, according to a media report.

Malema arrived at the Twelve Apostles hotel in Cape Town shortly after walking out of a parliamentary disciplinary hearing for 20 Economic Freedom Fighters MPs on Tuesday.

The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) was conducting interviews for judge president of the Free State and positions in the Western Cape High Court.

Malema was too late to participate in the Free State process -- which recommended Judge Belinda Molemela for the position -- but was in time for the Western Cape High Court interviews, the Beeld newspaper reported.

All three candidates were women.

Malema asked Diane Davis her opinion on transformation and affirmative action, noting that it seemed she had "a problem" with transformation.

"Do you think it would be unfair if we appointed a coloured woman over you?" Malema asked Davis.

"I don't have a problem with that at all," she replied.

Malema asked another candidate Kate Savage if she would be able to appreciate the distinction between "the judiciary and the party", to laughter from JSC members.

The JSC recommended Savage and Gayaat Salie-Samuels for the positions.

Parliament's powers and privileges committee was set to continue the hearing against 20 EFF MPs on Wednesday in their absence.

The MPs face charges of disrupting and displaying contempt for the National Assembly after chanting "pay back the money" at President Jacob Zuma during question time in August. Malema had questioned the president about Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's directive to reimburse the state for luxuries added to his Nkandla home.