Law Society applauds landmark judgment on the binding nature of the public protector’s remedial action

LAW SOCIETY APPLAUDS LANDMARK JUDGMENT ON THE BINDING NATURE OF THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR’S REMEDIAL ACTION

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) has noted the landmark judgment of the Constitutional Court in the Economic Freedom Fighters v Speaker of the National Assembly and Others; Democratic Alliance v Speaker of the National Assembly and Others [2016] ZACC 11 case, and in particular how it confirms the binding nature of the remedial action taken by the Public Protector in terms of section 182(1)(c) of the Constitution.

The LSSA believes in respect for the Constitution, the Rule of Law and for the Chapter 9 institutions, of with the Office of the Public Protector is one.

In 2015, the LSSA held a ‘Colloquium on the Extent and Limits of the Powers of the Office of the Public Protector: Quo Vadis Public Protector?’ Subsequently, the LSSA took a position that
• it would do its part to urge state organs to respect their obligations in terms of the Constitution when dealing with findings and recommendations from the Office of the Public Protector, and
• to engage in discussions to explore means through which national respect for the Office of the Public Protector can be created and promoted.

As the court noted, there is an obligation to assist and protect the Public Protector so as to ensure the independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness of the Office of the Public Protector by complying with her remedial action.

‘We applaud our judiciary in its decision in this important judgment. This reinforces the need for respect for our Constitution, as well as the enhancement of our constitutional democracy,’ say LSSA Co-Chairpersons Busani Mabunda and Richard Scott.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, BUSANI MABUNDA AND RICHARD SCOTT
by the Law Society of South Africa Communication Department
Tel: (012) 366 8800 or Website: www.LSSA.org.za
Contact: Barbara Whittle, Communication Manager, barbara@LSSA.org.za (012) 366 8800 or 083 380 1307
Nomfundo Manyathi-Jele at (012) 366 8800 or 072 402 6344 E-mail: manyathin@lssa.org.za