Judges must practice what they preach: SACP

Judges must practice what they preach about transparency by declaring their financial interests, the SA Communist Party (SACP) said on Tuesday.

"We are strongly of the view that judges, and other judicial officers, are not only public figures, but perform an important public function," spokesman Malesela Maleka said.

"The SACP wishes to reiterate that no one, and absolutely no one [including the judiciary], is above society and all its influences and temptations."

Justice Minister Jeff Radebe's judicial reforms could require that judges disclose their assets and business interests, and those of their families.

In Parliament on Thursday, Judge President of the Gauteng division of the High Court Bernard Ngoepe, and Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Robert Nugent said over 200 judges were opposed the draft regulations.

The judges said there was no evidence to support the introduction of the regulations as there had only been one sitting judge found to have carried out questionable financial practices.

Maleka said the "absurd, liberal notion of the existence of some angelic missionaries in society", like the judiciary and media, could only serve to hide corruption and defeat democracy.