Issued by: Office of the President
The Office of the President has noted the report in the Business Day of today, 20 April 1998 about the planned meeting between President Nelson Mandela and members of the Kwazulu-Natal bench of the High Court.
The meeting with the judges is part of an ongoing consultation the President has been involved in with judges of the High Court in the different provinces. Already the President has met the judges in Gauteng. On Thursday, 23 April 1998 he will meet judges from the Cape High Court, led by Judge President Friedman. The purpose of the consultation is to exchange views with different role players in South African society. It is within the same context that the President has been consulting with religious leaders, members of the media, leaders of other political parties and the trade union movement among others.
While the President may use the opportunity to discuss topical issues regarding the South African judicial system, it is not his intention to discuss the matter of nominations to the vice-presidency of the KwaZulu-Natal High Court. The matter is now in the hands of the Judicial Services Commission and the President has no intention to interfere with its independent operations whatsoever.
As a result, the President spoke with both the Chief Justice Ismail Mohamed and the President of the Constitutional Court, Judge Arthur Chaskalson this morning to give them the assurance that the activities of the Judicial service Commission will not be interfered with in any way.
Issued by the Office of the President
20 April 1998