De Lille slams ANC’s fools

CEDRIC MBOYISA

JOHANNESBURG - Arms deal whistleblower and Independent Democrats (ID) leader Patricia de Lille has slammed “ANC fools” for “attacking the judiciary”.

“I am very concerned that the judiciary is under attack. Every fool in the ANC criticises the judiciary,” said De Lille, during the ID provincial congress in Gauteng at the weekend.

She said the country’s Constitution provided for the principle of the separation of powers.

While everyone, she pointed out, had the right to raise an issue with the judiciary, it was reprehensible to attack a ruling.

Her comments come in the wake of sharp criticism of the Constitutional Court ruling on ANC president Jacob Zuma.

The Mkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association, the South African Students’ Congress (Sasco), the Young Communist League (YCL) and the ANC Youth League have expressed their concerns at the judgement and its “suspect” timing.

Sasco questioned the integrity and the independence of the ConCourt.

“The timing of this ruling and judgment raises serious suspicions that the Constitutional Court is being abused for political agendas.”

Sasco president Mawethu Rune singled out Deputy Justice Dikgang Moseneke for the alleged anti-Zuma conspiracy.

YCL national secretary Buti Manamela accused Chief Justice Pius Langa of making “extremely poisonous” pronouncements when he delivered the ConCourt ruling.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe reportedly said the ConCourt was part of counter-revolutionary forces seeking the destruction of Zuma and the ruling party.

According to the Sunday Independent, Langa said the attacks on the judiciary must be rebuked, and that they should be combated for the preservation of the rule of law in the country.