Respect ConCourt, says ANC
2008-07-14 14:07
Michael Hamlyn
Cape Town - Reacting to the storm that has been raised by the attacks made on Constitutional Court and high court judges, and accusations that ANC leaders put the party above respect for the Constitution, the party's national executive has called for respect for the constitution.
In a statement issued on Monday after the weekend's meeting of the executive it reaffirmed the ANC's commitment to vigorously defend and support the independence, integrity and credibility of all state institutions, including the judiciary.
However, this call was tempered by the demand for the "transformation of all institutions inherited from the former apartheid system so that they are fully representative and reflect the needs and interests of the people of this country".
And without alluding directly to the controversy that has surrounded the allegedly unfair treatment of ANC president Jacob Zuma, it called for "the rule of law, fair and equal treatment, and access for all South Africans".
The statement said: "The NEC (national executive committee) expressed concern at recent developments with regards to important institutions like the constitutional court, the national prosecuting authority and the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
"It called on all relevant structures and individuals to act in a manner which restores public confidence and reinforces the capacity of these institutions to fulfil their mandate to competently serve the people of SA."
But at the same time the executive insisted on the right of any formation or individual to freely express themselves on the conduct of any public institution or official.
"Far from undermining constitutional institutions, the exercise of this right contributes to a vibrant debate that is a necessary part of any democratic society," the statement said.
- I-Net Bridge (News24)