President Jacob Zuma, in his capacity as Head of State, has this afternoon, 03 November 2015, concluded a very successful meeting with the Head of the Judiciary and Heads of the Legislature in his Genadendaal Residence in Cape Town.
The President met with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka Mbete, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Thandi Modise and the Head of the Judiciary, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.
The meeting was aimed at further strengthening working relations and cooperation between and among these important pillars of the democratic state.
In August this year, President Zuma hosted a meeting between the Executive and the Judiciary which discussed matters that had been of concern to them including the independence of the judiciary and affirmed the doctrine of the separation of powers as the cardinal principle that defined their working relations.
Joined by the Presiding Officers of Parliament, today's meeting further discussed and explored best models for interaction and cooperation between the arms of the State and agreed on guidelines of working together in pursuit of their individual responsibilities as defined in the Constitution.
The Heads re-affirmed their collective belief in the doctrine of the separation of powers and to regular meetings to discuss issues of mutual concern.
President Zuma hailed the meeting as important and "useful in harmonising the work of all three arms, as we belong to one state.”
"We are very pleased that we have been able to sit down and discussed collectively how we should move together as different arms of the state to build our country, emphasizing the importance of our human rights culture, respect for the principle of law, equality and justice, as well as the inherent dignity of all South African citizens,” said President Zuma.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said: "It was a very productive meeting. We reflected on the state of our constitutional democracy, its general health as well as matters of concern that we felt should be discussed very early on and regularly to avoid challenges.”
The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Thandi Modise added; "It was a conducive meeting, affirming that although we are different arms, we serve the single state of South Africa”.
The National Assembly Speaker, Ms Baleka Mbete further said "the meeting gave us the opportunity to look at how our constitutional dispensation was evolving and the need constantly to adhere to the Constitution of the Republic.”
Enquiries:
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
E-mail: bonganim@presidency.gov.za
