ANC COMPROMISES JUDICIAL SYSTEM WITH CADRE DEPLOYMENT AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

At this morning's abandoned SCOPA hearing in the Western Cape Parliament Mr Marius Fransman, one of the witnesses subpoenaed, was accompanied by Adv Hishaam Mohammed, Head of the Department of Justice in the Western Cape. Adv Mohammed also serves on the ANC's Provincial Executive committee.

Adv. Mohammed was clearly seen advising Mr Fransman, head of the ANC in the Western Cape, during the latter's attempts to avoid giving testimony under oath.

The question needs to be asked: Was Adv Mohammed there in his capacity as a Justice official or was he legally representing Mr Fransman, as was indicated to the committee secretariat? How would this be possible or has the ANC now finally cast aside any pretence that ANC cadre deployments can also be state officials in their spare time.

The conundrum Adv Mohammed now sits with is that SCOPA has resolved to pursue legal and possibly criminal proceedings against Mr Fransman. A clear conflict of interest will exist and one wonders how Adv Mohammed, and the Dept of Justice, will deal with this unacceptable situation.

Statement issued by Mark Wiley, Member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament and DA representative on SCOPA, April 23 2014

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