President Thabo Mbeki has withdrawn his opposition against a Constitutional Court bid to stop the disbanding of the Scorpions, Business Day reported on Friday.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Brigitte Mabandla and Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula have now filed papers opposing the bid by Johannesburg businessman Hugh Glenister.
There was ”nothing to read” in Mbeki’s withdrawal as it was just a procedural matter, said presidential spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga.
The Constitutional Court has set August 20 to hear Glenister’s application.
He initially brought the case in the Pretoria High Court in May, but it was struck from the roll by Judge Willie van der Merwe who said the court did not have sufficient jurisdiction to decide on a separation of powers matter.
The court said the principle of separation of powers prevented it from interfering with the executive’s power to prepare and initiate legislation, as well as with the right of Parliament to deliberate on proposed legislation brought before it. – Sapa