Maduna, judges bury hatchet

2003-06-26 20:13

Johannesburg - Representatives from the three main tiers of democracy agreed to work together when they met at the Constitutional Court on Thursday to discuss recent spats between the groups.

"We resolved our differences and agreed mechanisms to avoid misunderstandings," said Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe. "We had full and frank discussions."

His sentiments were echoed by Justice Minister Penuell Maduna who said, "The meeting was held in good positive spirit. Everyone spoke frankly."

He said it was important the three organs of democracy - the legislature, the executive and the judiciary work together.

A joint statement issued by the Judges President, the minister of justice and Advocate Johnny de Lange, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Justice, said the mechanisms agreed to would avoid misunderstandings such as those experienced recently.

The statement was referring to reports that De Lange had implied that judges were overpaid and "lazy", while the minister was criticised for not defending the judges. "A scurrilous attack on the independence, integrity and dignity of the judiciary," was the response of the judges to De Lange's alleged comments.

However, following Thursday's discussions all that seems to be in the past. "The meeting is satisfied that the judiciary as an institution and its independence are not under threat," said the statement.

De Lange who has been at the centre of the storm said he "totally associated" himself with the sentiments expressed following the meeting.

Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson commented, "This does not mean that the judiciary is immune from criticism, or that the different arms of the state may not be criticised. Such criticism must, however, be fair, relevant to the occasion and expressed with courtesy.

"It is in this spirit, and through channels of communication that exist for such purposes, that the differences that exist between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary should be resolved."

- SAPA