STATEMENT BY BRETT HERRON, GOOD SECRETARY-GENERAL
29 June 2021
No one in South Africa should celebrate the finding that a former president has been found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to 15 months, unsuspended, imprisonment.
No one in South Africa should celebrate the findings that President Zuma’s conduct, and attitude towards the court, was so egregious that it constituted aggravated circumstances.
It is a sad day for our Constitutional democracy that a citizen of this country who had the privilege to serve as its President, the highest office of this land, and who swore allegiance to its Constitution scandalised our courts and defied a court order to such an extent that the Constitutional Court was forced to undertake an “impossible task” of sitting in judgment of his conduct.
On the other hand, we must welcome and celebrate that the rule of law has been asserted and that the ConCourt confirmed that no person is exempt from this foundation of our democracy.
The ConCourt has asserted the supremacy of the law over powerful individuals sending a resounding message that South Africa’s Constitution and its laws cannot be undermined by scandalous attacks or courting of public support.
The majority judgment saved South Africa from a Constitutional crisis by holding President Zuma in contempt. The minority judgment did not exonerate President Zuma and agreed that a sentence of imprisonment was warranted – differing only in the execution of the sentence.
South Africa’s democracy was saved today. We can all celebrate this. However, it is a sad day that a former President has placed our country, its people, and the Courts in this position.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron
082 518 3264