Issued by: Office of the Deputy President
The office of the deputy president condemns the outrageous article in "Focus" Magazine (May issue).
The office the deputy president Thabo Mbeki has taken note of the contents of the article which appeared in the May 1999 edition of Focus Magazine, entitled "Settled out of court".
The article suggests that the deputy president Mbeki has instructed the chief justice on "what it expects from him" in the Boesak appeal hearing.
The office of the deputy president denies most strenuously that it has ever communicated with the chief justice with a view to influence him regarding the Boesak appeal hearing and takes strong exception to the blatantly false assertion.
The general implication of the article as a whole is that the deputy president would want to meddle in the exercise of judicial authority.
The office of the deputy president would like to emphasise that the independence of the judiciary is a constitutional matter. The deputy president will defend to the hilt all the constitutional principles including the independence of the judiciary.
The deputy president abides by the letter and spirit of the constitution and respects the independence and integrity of the chief justice and the courts.
It would be unfortunate if the perception were to develop that the article contains malicious lies, disinformation and deceit.
For further information phone Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 9904853
9 May 1999