Lester Kiwitt interviewed legal analyst Wendel Bloom, co-chair of the Johannesburg Bar Association.
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The court order is clear – Jacob Zuma must be taken to prison before midnight, says legal analyst Wendel Bloom
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Political considerations must be secondary to the rule of law
If police do not arrest former President Jacob Zuma by midnight, Police Minister Becky Cele and SA Police Chief Khehla Sitole could face charges of disrespecting a Constitutional Court order.
On Tuesday, Cele and Sitole said they were waiting for legal clarity before moving to Zuma Prison.
Lester Kiwitt interviews legal analyst Wendel Bloom, co-chair of the Johannesburg Bar Association (scroll up to listen).
The order states that the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner must within three days [deliver Jacob Zuma to a correctional facility]. “Must” means “must”. This does not mean “may” … The ConCourt guidelines do not provide for a stay related to the application for cancellation „
Wendel Bloom, Legal Analyst – Johannesburg Bar Association
The order stands as it is … We must return it to the law … The order is clear … The letter has no purpose …
Wendel Bloom, Legal Analyst – Johannesburg Bar Association
I believe that the public prosecutor must have interpreted the court order like everyone else … They wrote to ConCourt to say: “You have given us clarity. Just give us more clarity that we need to continue with this, so that if something happens in Nkandla, the blame lies with ConCourt, not the minister or the national police commissioner …
Wendel Bloom, Legal Analyst – Johannesburg Bar Association
Law enforcement agencies in SA perceive their behavior depending on who to ask the police. Vulnerable, poor people are treated with excessive force. Politically influential people are treated for paralysis …
Wendel Bloom, Legal Analyst – Johannesburg Bar Association
Any political consideration is secondary to the rule of law … Today, Bheki Cele and Khehla Sitole must be arrested.
Wendel Bloom, Legal Analyst – Johannesburg Bar Association
If I were Kiril, I would break away from this …
Wendel Bloom, Legal Analyst – Johannesburg Bar Association