IFP, COPE & THE DALAI LAMA

18 October 2011

The decision by the IFP and Cope to apply for judicial review of the government's handling of the recent visa application by the Dalai Lama is nothing short of astonishing silliness and political shallowness - and the two parties very much know this. It is a bizarre publicity tactic that is reflective of political parties whose role in our public space is becoming increasingly insignificant and are therefore desperate to get noticed.

Both the IFP and Cope are aware of the frivolity of their legal challenge, and have embarked on this action regardless for the sake of scoring few political points and cheap publicity. A court challenge brought about by such motives is bound to fail.

Both parties are represented in parliament, which hold the executive accountable on the decisions or actions it takes. It therefore defeats logic that they should run to courts on a matter that they could have raised within parliament as part of their responsibilities as legislators. The notion that government has violated the constitution on the Dalai Lama matter is misguided and cannot be backed up by facts. Such spurious court actions may win the two parties few headlines in the media, but they waste courts' time and add unnecessary workload to our already overworked courts.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, ANC Parliamentary Caucus, October 18 2011

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