Justice Minister Penuell Maduna is to meet all the judges president of the high court and Johnny de Lange, member of Parliament, to discuss recent public controversies over the efficiency and independence of the judiciary.
Justice Department spokesperson Paul Setsetse said the meeting scheduled for 2pm on Thursday at the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, will afford an opportunity for all parties to air their views.
The controversy arose when De Lange commented negatively during a Parliamentary justice committee meeting on the efficiency of the country’s courts and the high salaries earned by judges.
The judges responded by complaining of a ”scurrilous attack on the independence integrity and dignity of the judiciary” and the insinuation that the judges were lazy and overpaid.
Setsetse said Maduna would, at the meeting convened by Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson, assure the judiciary that the government will protect and respect the independence of the judiciary. – Sapa