Judges: De Lange to end row

2003-06-18 12:18

Cape Town - National Assembly justice committee chairperson Johnny de Lange has moved to lay to rest the furore in his row with some of the country's top judges.

During Wednesday's committee meeting, De Lange said he never intended "for things to go ahead as they did".

"I don't know how it happened, but it did happen. I don't enjoy spats like this...it takes too much energy," he said.

The committee should now put this saga behind them and concentrate on the real issues, "not the side-shows".

De Lange said he would still engage Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson to see if he had any problems with the way the committee did its work; to see if anything was amiss.

The committee had always been strong supporters of judicial independence, and would continue to be so.

At the same time, the committee remained committed to carrying out its oversight functions in a "vigorous" manner, without fear or favour, he said.

Last Friday, Cape Judge President John Hlophe and five other judges president issued a statement complaining of a "scurrilous attack on the independence, integrity and dignity of the judiciary and an insinuation that judges were lazy and overpaid".

It was backed on Tuesday by the Transvaal acting judge president.

A meeting of the top judges followed comments by De Lange - made during committee hearings - on the efficiency of the country's courts and the high salaries earned by judges.

On Tuesday, De Lange accused the judges of blatantly undermining Chaskalson's authority and standing.

Chaskalson had participated in a five-hour meeting last week, when all the issues referred to by the judges president had been addressed.

During debate in the National Assembly on the justice budget vote on Tuesday, De Lange said: "The shrill, hysterical tone and content of the statement is most unusual and, one would venture, unbecoming members of the judiciary."

He also slammed the "scathing and unwarranted" attack on Justice Minister Penuell Maduna for not defending the judges. ]

Speaking earlier in the debate, Maduna again said government respected the independence of the judiciary, but warned judges against making "snide ideological attacks" on the executive.

"No plan or intention or inclination exists to undermine its independence and no steps are contemplated to do so."

An informed and constructive public debate on the judiciary as an institution could not be said to be a threat to the institution and its independence.

Maduna described the judges statement as "unexpected and unnecessary", but assured MPs there was no rift between the ANC government and the judiciary.

- SAPA