Threats by supporters of African National Congress president Jacob Zuma to make the country ungovernable should he be sent to jail were cause for concern, the government said on Thursday.
Briefing the media following Cabinet’s fortnightly meeting, government spokesperson Themba Maseko said while Cabinet did not specifically discuss the issue, it was generally concerned about attacks directed at the judiciary.
”As government we are extremely concerned about a lot of the statements being made, particularly against the judiciary which basically seems to be suggesting that our judiciary is not independent,” he said.
While people are entitled to make statements, every citizen had a responsibility to protect the integrity and reputation of the country’s constitutional structures.
”Cabinet is of the view that if we begin to do things and say things and behave in a manner that suggest that we do no not respect the integrity of a constitutional structure, that could actually send a very wrong signal to our citizens,” he said.
Maseko said the government would engage the ANC leadership on the matter.
”There is interaction and regular contacts between government and the ruling party to make sure that all issues of concern are discussed … and those processes in my view will continue,” he said.
‘Judges make mistakes’
At the Congress of South African Trade Unions-led march against the rising cost of living on Wednesday, some members were openly critical of the judiciary.
Cosatu deputy general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali said: ”We want to respect the rule of law … we cannot be denied [a] right of opinion. Judges make mistakes … they take decisions under the influence of liquor,” he told the crowd, who upon hearing this cheered him on.
Judges are humans who also drink at shebeens, Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini said on Wednesday, speaking at the Durban City Hall.
He told almost 4 000 Cosatu supporters that the federation was not criticising the judiciary but would ”give discreet advice to judges because they are humans”, adding: ”They drink in shebeens, they go to parties and make statements and crash through people’s houses.”
The speakers were apparently referring to Pretoria High Court judge Nkola Motata, who is currently on trial for drunken driving. – Sapa