March 25, 2004, 05:30
Helen Suzman, the veteran politician and Democratic Alliance (DA) icon, says the ANC government should be held in contempt of court for failing to implement Constitutional Court rulings. Suzan addressed a DA gala event in Sandton last night. She referred to the Grootboom judgment, where the court found that the government failed to provide adequate shelter for its citizens.
"I can think of instances where the constitutional court, our highest court, has passed decisions which are not implemented by the government and I think they (the government) should be held in contempt of court."
It was the first time that Suzman and Tony Leon, the DA leader, shared a platform since their fall-out over the death penalty. Suzman last night affirmed her anti-death penalty stance, while Leon and 70% of the DA are calling for the death penalty to be reinstated.
Suzman supported the DA's cooperation agreement with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). She also praised Mangosutho Buthulezi, the IFP leader, for being a great leader. She however did not have the same praise for Patricia de Lille, the Independent Democratic Party leader. "Now with my customary modesty, I'm sure all of you agree exists, I do say that Patricia has got a long road to travel to justify her supporters claim that she is the reincarnation of me as the only MP."
Leon criticized the ANC newest election campaign poster that states, "Creating Work and Fighting Poverty". He says the party's policies have resulted in "Fighting work and Creating Poverty".
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