IFP MEDIA STATEMENT BY: 
MR KOOS VAN DER MERWE MP
IFP CHIEF WHIP AND JUSTICE  SPOKESPERSON

11 February 2008

The Pretoria High Court this morning handed down judgment against the Minister of Justice, ordering her to consider the 384 applications by IFP prisoners within three months. 

The applications have been gathering dust with the Minister for longer than four years, without being considered. The Human Rights Commission has already found the Minister guilty of violation of human rights of these unfortunate prisoners and ordered her to finalise the applications by 31 March of last year, which she ignored. 

"This is a massive triumph for the protection of human rights," said Mr Koos van der Merwe, IFP Chief Whip who has been managing this matter. "This is without a doubt the only country in the world where the Minister of Justice has not only been found guilty of the violation of human rights, but also being ordered by the High Court to do her work. President Mbeki has no other choice but to immediately dismiss her from cabinet. She has become an embarrassment to the judiciary, the ANC and South Africa." 

Van der Merwe said he would now urgently discuss the road ahead with the Department of Justice to ensure that all possible queries regarding the 384 applications are properly attended to. If necessary lawyers would be send to the applicants to gather further information, if required.