Sisulu slammed, defended as debate rages over her remarks on judiciary
There has been a mixed response from some opposition political parties to the tourism minister's comments on the rule of law in South Africa and the judiciary's subsequent rebuttal.
DA leader John Steenhuisen says President Cyril Ramaphosa should instruct Lindiwe Sisulu to retract her comments and apologise.”
“President Ramaphosa, as president of the republic, has a duty to protect public trust in the Constitution and other arms of government.
“We will also call on the minister to appear before Parliament’s ethics committee, where she will be asked to explain how she reconciles, as a Member of Parliament, her attack on the judiciary with the parliamentary code of conduct which enjoins members to always act in accordance with the public trust placed in them.”
In an opinion piece, published by IOL last week and titled "Hi Mzansi, have we seen justice?" Sisulu was critical of the country's judges. She insinuated that African judges have done little to bring justice to the formerly oppressed who remain in poverty.
ALSO READ:
Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo called a press briefing on Wednesday to address their concerns around her comments.
He lambasted Sisulu saying her remarks were probably the worst insult levelled against the judiciary.
”It (the opinion piece) does not refer to any judgments that judges of the Constitutional Court, judges of the Supreme Court of Appeal or judges of the high courts have given, which have been analysed in order to produce the conclusions that she produces.
“There are no facts which are put up by Miss Sisulu to support what she is saying. There is no analysis of anything.”
Sisulu's now consulting her lawyers following Zondo’s strident attack on her.
The EFF has criticised Zondo for trying to outlaw political commentary - calling his media briefing unnecessary.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation says although authored in her personal capacity, the minister's public utterances must be rejected in the strongest terms.
