Cape Town – Judges Matter has reportedly criticised Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s recent comments about East London Magistrate Twanet Olivier.
Last week, Malema accused Olivier of being corrupt and incompetent while she presided over his illegal discharge of a firearm case.
He claimed that her judgment was a “sponsored judgment”.
“We want to come back here and to sit and listen to that incompetent magistrate who comes late to court, can’t get her papers in order, can’t read her own judgments, who adjourns the court during judgment to go back seat and receive Pravin Gordhan’s call, receive Ramaphosa’s call and receive Batohi’s call.
[WATCH] EFF leader Julius Malema accuses East London Magistrate Twanett Olivier of basing her judgments on political instructions. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/IDI7GJvxKd
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 19, 2023
“When she comes back to give her judgment, she’s shaking like hell because it’s not her judgment, it’s a sponsored judgment. Where have you heard such a thing that a magistrate leaves in the middle of a judgment to go behind the court and when she comes back, she’s shaking like a little girl in Grade 1 to give an English presentation in front of her classmates,” Malema said.
Judges Matter called Malema’s comments an attack on the judiciary, a threat to judicial independence, and possibly a violation of the Constitution, EWN reported.
“Therefore Judges Matter comes out strongly in defence of judicial independence. Left unchallenged, Mr Malema’s comments will send a chilling message to other judicial officers that they should not dare issue judgments against powerful figures who command a large audience. We call on Mr Malema to immediately retract and apologise for his unfortunate comments,” Mbekezeli Benjamin, a researcher at Judges Matter was quoted as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
