The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has criticised the Constitutional Court for what it considers an undue delay in delivering a judgment on the suspension of Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. 

This follows a judgment handed down in September by a full bench of the Western Cape High Court declaring President Cyril Ramaphosa’s suspension of Mkhwebane unlawful.

The political party has argued that the Constitutional Court lacks commitment to effectuate timely justice in this matter.

In relying on a section of the Superior Courts Act highlighting that “every effort should be made by judges to hand down judgments within three months”, the ATM has alluded to an erosion of public trust in the legitimacy of the courts.

The party has grown frustrated at the inaction of the apex court despite lodging a complaint to the Judicial Services Commission.

“The undue delay in delivering a judgment in such a critical case not only displays a lack of respect for the Public Protector and her constitutional role but it also risks rendering the judgment moot and purely academic with no real impact on the injustice faced by Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane,” argued ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona.