Issued by: Ministry: Justice and Constitutional Development
6 August 2002
The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development, Dr Penuell Maduna, condemn in the strongest possible terms, yesterday's destruction's in and around Johannesburg, by the IFP youth who were protesting against the floor grossing legislation.
The Government will not tolerate acts of violence, intimidation's and criminality. The law enforcement agencies will do everything in their power to apprehend those responsible for the commission of crime as we saw it yesterday. Indeed government will not rest until they are brought to justice.
The Constitution is clear on this matter. Section 17 under the Bill of rights states that, "everyone has the right, peacefully and unarmed, to assembly, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions". However what the country saw yesterday was something contrarily to this section of the Constitution.
It is in this context that the leaders of the parties involved in yesterday's violence and destruction of property, should take full responsibility for their members' lunatic behaviour. It is important furthermore, that these organizations keep their members away from the Constitutional Court so that the full bench of the Court could hear the arguments from parties involved without unnecessary pressure or disturbance.
Issued by Paul Setsetse, on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
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