Sowetan

Parties rely on “apartheid” courts

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I’m concerned about the referral of cases by political parties to the courts of law.

No such referrals were made during apartheid.

During that period, the same courts of law labelled movements fighting for freedom as terrorist organisati­ons.

Post-1994, when our country adopted a democratic system of governance, the judicial system should have also changed.

There are political matters debated in parliament which lead to disagreeme­nts, but such matters end up being referred to the courts of law for adjudicati­on.

This leaves much to be desired because such cases are referred to the very same courts which at first labelled the now unbanned organisati­ons as “terrorist” movements.

These courts are untransfor­med and harbour the doctrines of the apartheid system.

I believe this trend will ultimately put the courts and judicial system in a difficult position where they will be viewed as impartial to some extent.

In most cases, the verdicts favour political parties establishe­d or modified post-1994.

In essence, the courts of law need a serious infusion of natural justice as a matter of urgency in order to take our beautiful country forward.

Sello Stephen Mapeka

Paballong village

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