Zondo Labels Sisulu’s Article an “Unsubstantiated Insult” & Attack on Judiciary
Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu did not criticise judges but insulted them.
Zondo was addressing the media Wednesday on Sisulu’s opinion piece titled “Hi Mzansi, have we seen justice?”
In the article, Sisulu argued that racist agendas control the justice system and questioned the constitution and whether it had done enough to deal with structural issues brought about by apartheid.
Zondo said Sisulu’s article does not analyse anything and is an unsubstantiated insult that accuses and attacks the judiciary.
He said the judiciary is not immune to criticism but calls on critics to quote them on specific judgment.
“We do not say even now that we should not be criticised. We accept that we may be criticised but we say criticism should be fair and should have a proper factual basis but this is not criticism .We won’t always respond but we are obliged to respond where “someone has crossed the line and I certainly think she has crossed the line”.
Zondo said more attacks may be on the way.
“I want to say to all judges and especially African judges that they must continue to work in accordance with their oath.”
Zondo said he hopes Sisulu has the decency to withdraw the attack on the judiciary.
