At the second judges' conference since 1994, Zuma and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Jeff Radebe launched a well-received effort to win judicial hearts and minds, but judges are standing firm on the controversial Superior Courts Bill, aimed at handing administrative control of the courts to Radebe's department.
Zuma opened the four-day conference on Monday by assuring members of the judiciary that the executive arm of government and the ANC respected the independence of the judiciary. "The transformation of the judiciary should be advanced and undertaken without interfering with the principle of judicial independence," Zuma said. "An independent judiciary is one of the cornerstones of any democracy. As the executive, we respect without reservation the principle of judicial independence and the rule of law."
In his closing remarks Chief Justice Pius Langa commented that "he said the right things. But they were not just right, they were also inspiring because they were affirming. He was expressing his confidence in the judiciary and affirming the independence of the judiciary." A resolution read out by Langa stated: "The judiciary should be empowered to administer courts and its own budget. To this extent the judiciary will work with, and cooperate with, other branches of government to develop a model of court administration that best reflects the principle of judicial independence."
The conference adopted various resolutions affecting the judiciary, including the recognition of a single judiciary with the chief justice at the helm.
Source: Mail & Guardian
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