Women’s rights activists in the Northern Cape have accused judges and politicians of corruption and political interference in the judiciary, prompting strong denials from the judiciary and the Office of the Premier.
Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo
WOMEN Waging War against GBVF, abuse, inequality and poverty have called for high-ranking judges and senior politicians in the Northern Cape to be removed from office, as they believe that there is political interference in the judiciary.
Women Waging War convener Milly Wolfe said they intend to picket outside the Office of the Premier every Thursday and Friday until their demands are met.
“There are special judges for politicians in the Northern Cape. It is heartbreaking because people are suffering and are not receiving justice,” Wolfe said.
She claimed that certain judges presided over cases where corrupt officials received favourable outcomes.
“A senior director, who has since left the employment of the Department of Education and was accused of sexual harassment, misused his position to influence court judgments.”
Wolfe stated that they were not afraid to expose corrupt individuals.
“If we become scared, what about those who have lost hope and are too intimidated to speak the truth? Even if they lock us up and kill us, it’s fine. We will tell them to their faces that what they are doing is wrong. We speak about the atrocities that are covered up by the courts that are supposed to administer justice. An investigation will liberate the people of the Northern Cape. We cannot have dark clouds hanging over their heads.”
She called for the immediate dismissal and criminal prosecution of officials who embezzled funds, concealed sexual abuse cases, and misrepresented their qualifications.
“Departments are controlled by a mafia cabal and a criminal network that misuses public funds, employs unqualified individuals, and promotes misconduct. If you benefit from what is wrong, how do we as a country stand tall?”
A spokesperson for the Office of the Chief Justice, Judge President Cagney John Musi, stated that Women Waging War against GBVF were making “vague and unsubstantiated allegations” against judges.
“No judge is allocated cases for politicians or ‘special’ accused persons,” Musi stated.
He dismissed the allegations as “baseless, defamatory and scurrilous”.
“We agree that officials or judges involved in judicial corruption should be removed from office, after a proper process. We are a democratic country anchored in the rule of law and cannot tolerate corruption in any form by any person.”
He stressed that there was no interference in the judiciary by any politician, person or organisation.
“Judges take an oath to be faithful to the Constitution and the law and to do justice to all persons without fear, favour or prejudice. They must be impartial at all times.”
Musi pointed out that the public could not simply demand that a judge be removed from office based on “vague, unsubstantiated and scandalous” allegations.
“Credible complaints against a judge can be lodged with the judicial conduct committee at the Judicial Service Commission for investigation.
“If complainants are not satisfied with the outcome of a case, they may appeal to the full court or the Supreme Court of Appeal.
“Should serious allegations, such as corruption, be proven against a judicial officer, the judicial officer will ultimately be removed from office after an investigation and a trial before a tribunal.”
The spokesperson for the Office of the Premier, Naledi Gaosekwe, said the organisation was casting serious aspersions on the integrity of the judiciary, the Office of the Premier, and certain individuals.
“Given the gravity of the allegations, the organisation should, if they have proof, refer these matters to the relevant authorities,” said Gaosekwe.
She pointed out that the independence of the judiciary was a key pillar of the Constitution.
“As an arm of government, we subscribe to uphold the same. We will never interfere in the business of the judiciary.
“The Office of the Premier prides itself on upholding the rule of law. We are an accountable administration and we conduct our affairs in a very transparent and accountable manner.”
Gaosekwe added that all senior officials were subjected to lifestyle audits that were conducted by the Special Investigating Unit.