04 February 2010

"We are delighted to have finally won the case against President Zuma, in respect of 384 prisoners who applied for presidential pardon seven years ago," said Koos van der Merwe, the IFP's Chief Whip today

Shortly before the Constitutional Court commenced this morning, President Zuma submitted an affidavit indicating that he had finally adhered to his constitutional obligation to consider applications for presidential pardons submitted through the IFP in 2003.

Of the 384 applications that were submitted, the President turned down 230 and his decision on the other 154 applications will be announced as soon as judgement is given by the Constitutional Court in another matter pertaining to the President's power to grant pardons.

"It is indeed a sad day in the history of South Africa that 384 prisoners had to wait seven long years for the President to apply his mind to this matter. What is even worse is that the Human Rights Commission found the previous Minster of Justice, Brigitte Mabandla, guilty of violating the human rights of these prisoners in 2007," said van der Merwe.

The prisoners first applied for pardons seven years ago, but their applications were dismissed on "technical grounds".

"It is indeed a national disgrace that it took four court cases, defended by the government on purely technical grounds, before this matter received attention. Now the taxpayer will have to foot the bill which will be well in excess of a million rand," concluded van der Merwe.

In respect of the 230 prisoners that were denied pardon, the IFP's lawyers will now be studying the matter and may well recommend that reasons be sought from the President as to why the applications were denied.

Contact: Koos van der Merwe, 082 444 4944 or

Liezl van der Merwe (IFP Media Officer) 082 729 2510.