NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO.: 20

DATE OF QUESTION: 27 FEBRUARY 2012

20. Mr Z Mlenzana (COPE-EC) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

(1) Whether he has been informed of the recent statements by members of the judiciary (details furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether his department will engage with members of the judiciary regarding this matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

CO78E

Details referred to:

That they will not declare personal interests as required by law

REPLY:-

(1) Yes, the Judges' recent statements have been brought to my attention by the Chief Justice and they were also raised at the recent Heads of Courts-meeting of 10 February this year.

(2) Yes, there are ongoing discussions with the Judiciary regarding this matter.  The Honourable Member may also be aware of the media statement issued by the Chief Justice after my meeting with the Heads of Courts in February this year, where he expressed the Judges' willingness and eagerness to declare their own financial interests, but were of the view that the duty to declare should not extend to their spouses and family members. 

The honourable Member may also be aware that Parliament is seized with the Regulations on Judges' Registrable Interests which I tabled in Parliament during November 2010.  I will continue to engage with the Leadership of the Judiciary before the Regulations are finalised by Parliament and I am optimistic that these Regulations will be finalised soon. 

Issued by Parliament, March 8 2012

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