Shameful attacks on judiciary

The ANC government before 2009 had a history of challenging the composition of the judiciary. It began to embark on the transformation of the judiciary. When Nelson Mandela was summoned to court by Louis Luyt, he never hesitated to respect the subpoena.
Since 1994 the nation lost very sound legal brains like Judges Yunus Mohammed, Arthur Chaskalson, Pius Langa, Patrick Maqubela and activists lawyers like Kader Asmal, Sipho Ernest Mchunu, Dullar Omar and Bulelani Ngcuka, Vusi Pikoli and Mxolisi Nxasana purged from NPA. Elevated are Judges Mogoeng Mogoeng, John Hlophe, Kemp J Kemp, Barnabas Xulu, Sticks Mdladlana and Comfort Ngidi. Our law students during the struggle like Louis Zondo, Bheka Shezi, Mzo Mbele, and Tiego Moseneke are now in a political oblivion despite their immense contribution in the struggle.
The Apartheid state killed Victoria and Griffiths Mxenge, Bheki Mlangeni and forced Joel Joffe and Sydney Kentridge to leave the country. May their souls rest in peace. Also departed from our midst are Phyllis Naidoo, Archie Gumede, Bram Fischer and Vernon Berrage.
Between 1994 and 2007, no leader of government called judges “counter-revolutionary”. It started with Zuma, Kgalema Motlanthe and Gwede Mantashe. No one except liberals attacked Public Protector Barney Pityana. Contrarily, attacks on Thuli Madonsela comes from Zumanists, not the entire ANC.
Judges and the Public Protector have ruled many times in favour of ANC people.
Judges ruled in favour of government in the matter of Marikana victims who wanted quick release of the Farlam report. The orphans and widows of Marikana did not insult the judge. Judge Chris Nicholson ruled in favour of Zuma hence his reward to chair the corruption and mismanagement in cricket. In Zuma’s “condomless” blog with a daughter of his Robben Island inmate Judson Khuzwayo, the judge acquitted him.
The Public Protector ruled in favour of Kgalema Motlanthe, Dr Sbongiseni Dlomo (MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal), Fikile Mbalula and some local government under ANC. In 2010 I reported two cases of corruption in KwaDukuza and ILembe Council that were investigated by Adv Masilela. Even today Adv Madonsela is refusing to release a report, but I did not insult her and her office.
Gwede Mantashe’s attacks on the judiciary is a “big shame”. Why is he not calling on the president to show us the bond and receipts that built his homestead. In parliament he said it was built by his family, a view supported by Vivian Reddy only.
Can the ANC Veterans League lead the nation in protecting the judiciary, the Public Protector and the legacy of good lawyers whose blocks built the hut of democracy, costing some their lives.
This year we celebrate 30 years of death of Victoria Mxenge, 20 years of death of Archie Gumede, and the first anniversary of the death of Phyllis Naidoo. We we dare not allow Mantashe to escape telling the truth about Bashir’s escape from arrest and the president’s successful dodging of the long arm of the law.
SIYANDA MHLONGO
KwaDukuza