I wrote yesterday about how depressed I was about the apparent lack of the rule of law in our fair land. Well today I am feeling a little better. The reason: The constitutional court has said that President Jacob Zuma’s decision to extend Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo’s term of office is unconstitutional.

Not only was it declared unconstitutional, but the decision was also taken unanimously.

The court said that Sect 8a of the Judges Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Act, in terms of which Zuma extended Ngcobo’s term, is unconstitutional

The court said that section Zuma wanted to implement was tantamount to an attempt by him to usurp the power of Parliament and maintained that only Parliament has the power to extend a Constitutional Court judge’s term of office.

On Wednesday Ngcobo had already withdrawn his acceptance of Zuma’s extension, probably because he knew the writing was on the wall. Zuma has 15 days in which to appoint a new Chief Justice.

[Source : News24]