Sponsored Links:
INLSA
Judge Willem Heath
Special Investigating Unit head Willem Heath's “controversial attitude” towards the judiciary is too risky for his position, Cope said on Tuesday.
“In a position of this nature we need a person who is independent and not partisan,” Cope parliamentary leader Mosiuoa Lekota said in a statement.
Heath's questioning of the judiciary without providing tested evidence was risky in a position of such power, he said.
In an interview with the City Press on Sunday, Heath was quoted saying that former president Thabo Mbeki had “dictated” to the National Prosecuting Authority in President Jacob Zuma's rape and corruption trial five years ago. Zuma was acquitted of rape in 2006.
Corruption charges against him were dropped in 2009.
Heath was quoted saying that Judge Hilary Squires' judgment in the Schabir Shaik corruption trial was flawed as there wasn't sufficient evidence to convict him. Shaik was Zuma's financial adviser.
“Whatever so called information or evidence advocate Heath relies upon to question the findings of the courts is irrelevant until it has been tested under cross-examination,” Lekota said.
Zuma appointed Heath last Tuesday to replace Willie Hofmeyr as SIU head. Hofmeyr now only heads the Asset Forfeiture Unit.
Heath was first appointed by former president Nelson Mandela in 1996 to establish the SIU. He resigned in 2001 after the Constitutional Court found that a sitting judge could not head a long-term investigating unit. - Sapa
|
|
badballie, wrote
As one is well aware of the corruption and ongoing collusion that is the ANC on can only assume that any appointment made by them is based on furthering and protection their illegal activities, Heath being such an appointment is also therefore tarred, and rightly so, with the same brush. I don't believe anyone actually expects the arms deal to be properly investigated and can almost deduce that any evidence that may have existed to implicate the ANC structure has been destroyed. Heaths statements to date simply prove that he is not a suitable candidate for this post and that he was never suited to a post as a judge over other people. In fact I would go so far as to say that every single judgement he has ever made is now in question as he clearly sees himself as being above the law which while not necessarily being a bad thing in itself, becomes of grave concern when his allegiance is clearly with a party intent of making this country a dictatorship.
Situation, wrote
even if President Zuma appoints helen Zille to head SIU, DA fans will have reservations and will say she is unfit to head this unit. the problem is not the person being employed, it the person doing the employing (Zuma) (proxy war on Zuma led by the media and civil society)!
loyalists, wrote
you guys u said you need freedom of information in these country with out fear or favour but still moaning you make me sick
Juan, wrote
Heath got zuma off on corruption charges.Therefore this whole new arms deal investigation is just a big farce if headed by heath, and millions will be spent on this fruitless investigation and no-one will go to jail, and the poor will continue to suffer in poverty.
GF, wrote
Sonono Mshengu, wrote
Agree 100% with COPE on this. Heath seems to be a man carting more than enough grudges from the past and his fitness for such a crucial position. My sense is that he is just one piece of the puzzle that Jacob Zuma is putting together to nail Thabo Mbeki et al on the arms deal. I shudder to contemplate what will transpire in this country next year after the ANC celebrations and when all roads head to the ANC elective conference. Jackie Selebi will surely not be the only high profile politician in the orange suit.
Frank Hartry, wrote
Heath is a very dangerous man in that position. In my opinion he is a sycphant of Zuma whom he idolises and will do anything for.
Showing items 1 - 7 of 7
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Services
Buying a car has never been easy. Motoring.co.za contains a large database of car listings with a user friendly search.
Start searching today »
Business Directory
We like to make your life easier
Mobile
Browse IOL on your phone at m.iol.co.za.
Newsletters
Subscribe to our newsletters. News delivered to your inbox!
Comment Guidelines