President & Justice Minister taken to High Court

IFP MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASE BY:
MR KOOS VAN DER MERWE MP
IFP CHIEF WHIP

29 May 2007

Mr Koos van der Merwe MP, IFP Chief Whip, announced in Parliament today that as the Minister of Justice has failed for almost four years to comply with her Constitutional duties to process 384 applications for Presidential pardons; and as the Minister was found guilty by the Human Rights Commission (HRC) for the violation of these prisoners human rights, these prisoners have now approached the High Court of South Africa for intervention to order the Minister and the President to comply with their Constitutional duties.

High Court papers have been served on both the Minister and the President and the matter is now in the hands of the High Court.

A copy of the speech delivered by Mr Koos van der Merwe MP in today's Budget Debate is enclosed, as well as a copy of the Notice of Motion served on the Respondents.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Mr Koos van der Merwe MP: 082 444 4944
Noleen Hendricks: 082 886 9848