Deputy Speaker, I wish to refer the hon member to a discussion document on the transformation of the judicial system and the role of the judiciary in the developmental South African state, which I released yesterday. That document deals extensively with the question that has been raised by the member.
Coming to the statement that the President made in relation to the powers of the Constitutional Court, that statement is entirely consistent with the ongoing debate on the question whether the Constitutional Court should be the Apex Court with general jurisdiction, and what impact there would be on its composition and sitting. Similarly, the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development is currently considering the Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Bill and the Superior Courts Bill, which also look at the powers of the Constitutional Court.
Let me reiterate that the approach adopted by Cabinet with regard to the assessment of the impact of the decisions of the Constitutional Court on society, which has been linked to the President's statement, is not an isolated matter, but forms part of a package of recommendations which relate to the transformation of the judicial system and the role of the judiciary in advancing the ideals of the Constitution.
Let me once again reaffirm our commitment as the ANC-led government to the Constitution as the embodiment of the values of the ANC that it stood for and fought for. The ANC-led government will defend these values, including the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. Thank you.