Zuma says courts don’t have a say on government policies

By Lelethu Mquqo
2 November 2011

President Jacob Zuma says while government recognises the independence of the judiciary, the powers conferred on the courts cannot be regarded as superior to the powers of the state.

Zuma gave a joint sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces the assurance that government nevertheless firmly believed in the principles of the rule of law.

But the President reiterated that the executive, as the elected representatives of the people, has the sole discretion to decide policies for government.