Our Constitution was built on an acute awareness of the injustices of the country’s past and the product of a uniquely negotiated constitution is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and progressive in the world, especially with regards to the promotion and protection of human rights. This is obviously in the interests of all South African citizens.
The DA in the Eastern Cape however, is concerned that despite these provisions there are still millions of citizens in this province that live in the former homelands of the Transkei and the Ciskei that for all intents and purposes still lead an “extra Constitutional existence”.
The proposed “Traditional Courts bill” for example will render the people (especially women) who live in these areas under traditional leadership to once again being subjects that have a limitation of rights, rather than having the constitutional guarantee of equal human rights that are enshrined in our Constitution as per the provisions of our Constitutional Democracy.
No one, nor any other body or authority other than our courts and in particular our Constitutional court, should be allowed to ever tamper with or dilute or undermine the provisions of the Constitution with regards to basic human rights.
The DA believes in and respects the Constitution and ALL of its provisions and will commit and rededicate itself tomorrow and every year on this important day to ensuring that we do everything in our power to protect the Constitution and the people of this province by respecting and honouring its provisions.
This also means that we will do all in our power to ensure that the agencies and service delivery organs of state that are intended to give effect to these provisions and rights do just that without fear or favour.
Athol Trollip MP
