ANC heavyweights back decision to defy court

ANC heavyweights have underlined the party’s strong support for government’s decision to defy the court on the Omar al-Bashir issue, with deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte saying it was unfortunate 'that we actually had to disobey a judge’s order to comply with an international obligation that we have’. And the ANC alliance, in a statement after its summit at which Duarte made her comments, took a swing at Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke (see report below). On the al-Bashir matter, Duarte said: ‘I think the country made the right choice. You do not make the choice to arrest a sitting head of state on your soil, ever.’ Her boss, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, said it was not a purely judicial matter, but also a political matter which had implications for the country, notes a News24 report. ‘We can’t limit that debate only to what the law says. What are the legal implications? It’s a serious political matter. We can’t isolate ourselves from the continent.’ SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande said letting al-Bashir leave was ‘part of a political understanding and settlement’. He compared it to how the Truth and Reconciliation Commission allowed for the suspension of ‘judicial action’ against those involved in apartheid-era atrocities.