First On EWN: Nhleko questions independence of judiciary
The minister accused judges of colluding with people to produce what he calls 'certain judgments'.
PRETORIA - Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko has questioned the independence of the judiciary by accusing judges of colluding with people to produce what he has described as "certain judgments".
Nhleko made the comments when addressing more than 20 senior Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) managers in March after he suspended the watchdog's head Robert McBride.
This week, McBride submitted a transcript of that meeting as part of supplementary affidavits in the constitutional challenge of the minister's power to suspend the Ipid head.
According to a document in the supplementary affidavit, Nhleko told senior Ipid managers that "some elements of the judiciary meet with characters to produce certain judgments."
Nhleko added that this practice was becoming a common feature in the judiciary.
His comments have emerged just days after ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe stated that he believes there is a drive in sections of the judiciary to create chaos for government.
Nhleko's spokesperson Musa Zondi declined to comment saying that the minister made the comments at a private meeting.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng's office has noted the remarks and committed to responding to them soon.
