Lesbian judge criticised over sexuality
Judge Kathy Satchwell should not be appointed to the Constitutional Court because her homosexuality meant that God-fearing South Africans 'will not be able to identify' with her. So contends attorney Zehir Omar, according to a Cape Times report, in a submission to the JSC that further described Satchwell as 'very emotional in court proceedings'.
Satchwell has not directly addressed Omar's complaint about her sexuality, which he wrote on behalf of his Society for the Protection of Our Constitution, but has slammed his claims about her work as a judge as 'vague and unsubstantiated'. Satchwell, a renowned anti-apartheid activist who was nominated for one of four vacant positions at the Constitutional Court by the Black Sash, Wits Law Clinic, People Opposing Women Abuse, Advocate Marisa Mathebula, Advocate Zinhle Buthelezi and attorney Ronald Bobroff, said Omar's claims were 'not true'. Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission head Jody Kollapen has slammed Omar for his 'deeply offensive comments about Satchwell's sexuality'. Full Cape Times report (subscription needed)