Media Statements

Minister Masutha welcomes ConCourt judgement to dismiss DA’s application on Rome Statute matter

14 November 2016

TThe Minister of Justice and Correctional Services welcomes the decision of the Constitutional Court to dismiss the application for direct access in a bid to challenge the Cabinet’s decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

The Constitutional Court has considered the application by the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution founded on exclusive jurisdiction and in the alternative for direct access, and the application for direct access by the Democratic Alliance. It has concluded that the application founded on exclusive jurisdiction should be dismissed as the matter does not invoke the jurisdiction of this court. Further the application for direct access has been dismissed on the ground that it is not in the best interest of justice for the court to hear the matter at this stage.

The dismissal of the Democratic Alliance’s application for direct access happens as the Minister travels to the Hague in Netherlands where he will be making an opening statement during the general debate of fifteenth meeting of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court.

Issued by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development  

Enquiries:
Mthunzi Mhaga
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services
0836418141
Mediaenquiries@justice.gov.za