Madam Deputy Speaker, in an interview in Rapport published two days ago, on Sunday, the Chief Whip of the Majority Party in the National Assembly, Dr Matole Motshekga, again tried to justify government's focused campaign to undermine the independence of the judiciary. He made some profound statements, such as that certain people wanted to hand over the powers of Parliament and President Zuma to the courts; that South Africa was being transformed into a one-party state with unelected people at the helm; and that President Zuma's recent statement that government wanted to review the powers of the Constitutional Court was not unconstitutional or out of order, but that such statements were simply a reflection of public concern over the powers of the courts.
He also said that for most people it appeared that government had to ask the permission of the courts before it did anything, although government derived its mandate from the people while the courts comprised a handful of appointed people. He also said elements that use the courts for their narrow interests and to prevent transformation were totally out of order and that political parties ran to court to challenge Bills before Parliament.
Cope realises that the ANC Chief Whip is spearheading a campaign on behalf of certain elements in the ANC - a campaign to change the Constitution of our country. Our concerns are that his statements are irreconcilable with the principle of the separation of powers, which underlies the Constitution. We want to give a warning that such statements, coming from a person who holds a senior position in the governing party and in the National Assembly, can scare off foreign investment. Cope calls on the Deputy President to reaffirm his government and the President's commitment, as head of state, to upholding and defending the Constitution. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]