judges Billsâ, 30 June 2006
7 July 2006
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development would like to respond
to the sensational and false Mail & Guardian articles: âMbeki axes judges
Billsâ and, âDe Lange: Tiger or teddy bear?â
1. There is absolutely no truth in the assertion that President Mbeki has
intervened and stopped the formal consideration of the said Bills. The judicial
Bills are still being considered and the Department of Justice and
Constitutional Development will continue to interact with the judiciary on
them.
2. Sadly, both articles repeat the misconception and fiction that Minister
Mabandla and the Deputy Minister De Lange do not agree on the Bills. It is
sensational and mischievous on the part of the author to attempt to suggest
that President Mbeki and Minister Mabandla are at odds with Deputy Minister De
Langeâs stance on the Bills. Another long-standing myth is the portrayal of
Deputy Minister De Lange as the prime mover behind the Bills. The fact is that
Minister Mabandla is championing the Bills. The lead article by Nic Dawes, like
the slanderous article by Pearlie Joubert, repeats another piece of gossip,
first published by the M&G in 2004, about an alleged conflict between
Minister Mabandla and Deputy Minister De Lange. There is no such conflict
between the Minister and the Deputy Minister.
3. We therefore reject with contempt the efforts to undermine the integrity
of both the Minister and Deputy Minister. The sensational article (touted as a
profile) by Pearlie Joubert is nothing more than a scurrilous and baseless
personal attack on the integrity of both Minister Mabandla and Deputy Minister
De Lange. The article does not deserve much response, save to say that its
shallowness is shown up by the fact that it is entirely based on conjectures
and comments attributed to anonymous âformer colleagues and enemies.â
For further information please contact:
Mr Zolile Nqayi
Spokesperson: Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development
Tel: (021) 467 1714
Cell: 082 898 6483
Fax: (012) 467 1732
E-mail: znqayi@justice.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development
7 July 2006
