The EFF has condemned a court application by the Helen Suzman Foundation seeking to bar Julius Malema from the JSC, calling it an attempt to silence democratic criticism of the judiciary.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has condemned what it describes as a politically motivated court application by the Helen Suzman Foundation seeking to remove EFF leader Julius Malema from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), saying the case amounts to an attempt to silence democratic criticism of the judiciary.
The party said the application, filed in the Western Cape High Court, is a “dangerous and dishonest attempt to redefine democratic criticism as constitutional misconduct”, arguing that it seeks to exclude Members of Parliament (MPS) who criticise the judiciary from constitutional oversight bodies.
The EFF said the foundation argues that Parliament must determine whether Malema remains “fit and proper” to serve on the JSC, based on his public criticism of judges and judicial decisions, which it claims undermines judicial independence.
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the application's implication is that elected representatives with critical views of the judiciary should be excluded from oversight roles.
