Article by: Dumisane Dube
Anti-Apartheid Activist Tony Yengeni says Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has no right to stop Minister Sisulu from expressing herself.
On Wednesday, Acting Chief Justice Zondo slammed Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu for insulting African judges and the country’s judiciary. Sisulu wrote an opinion piece titled, “Hey Mzansi, have we seen justice?” in which she called for the complete overhaul of the judiciary, criticising black judges and the Constitution.
Speaking to the media, Yengeni said freedom of speech is a right that everyone should enjoy.
“I think that Lindiwe Sisulu, as a citizen of this country, has the right to express her views on any subject that is on the table. Freedom of speech is a right that she enjoys just like me and you. It’s even enshrined and protected by the Bill of Rights so no one, including Zondo can stop her from speaking her mind. It’s a constitutional right that she fought for herself. She[Sisulu] raises very sharply an issue that has been raised before. She’s continuing in the footsteps of her great forefathers… Where does he [Zondo] take the mandate to stop people from speaking their minds? Where is it written in the constitution?, I feel Zondo has overstepped his mark,’’ said Yengeni.
Yengeni further said Sisulu was simply sharing her views on land, the economy and poverty.
“They will alienate a lot of people who think differently and when those things come before them as judges, they’ll be conflicted,” added Yengeni
He says judges should refrain from making such political comments.
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