Chief Justice and Deputy encourage South African’s to show more compassion
MIDRAND – The Chief Justice and his deputy encourage people to help those who need help during the lockdown.
The Office of the Chief Justice in Midrand encourages South Africans to look out for their neighbours and offer help where they can.
The message was extended by Nathi Mncube, spokesperson for the South African Judiciary on 11 April. He explained that the Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng and the Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo have realised that the lockdown is likely to cause severe financial hardship to millions of South African households and families.
“Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for all South Africans who are able to do so to make whatever contribution they can to the alleviation of these hardships in any way they consider most effective,” he said.
“One way of doing so would be to identify and assist families in dire need of basic necessities or financial assistance without contravening the lockdown regulations. Some of the practical steps that may be taken include sending money to identified families through electronic transfer such as eWallet, CashSend etc or, once again in strict compliance with the lockdown regulations, arranging to meet at a store with a representative of an identified family and buying basic necessities for them.”
Mncube added that another way would be to pay money into the Solidarity Fund from one’s reserves or to commit a percentage of one’s salary to that fund or a combination of the above, as one’s personal circumstances may permit.
“The Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice have, separately and independently of each other, identified needy or vulnerable families that they are assisting and will continue to assist during the lockdown and beyond if the need persists.
“Judges and magistrates do not owe their positions to any central command structure that could take decisions relating to their salaries on their behalf and instruct them on what sacrifices to make in relation thereto.
“They are completely independent in that respect. The chief justiceship, therefore, encourages fellow judicial officers and the broader South African public to show more compassion and generosity, particularly at such a time as this.”
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/afp/965587/hungry-s-africans-clash-with-police-over-food-aid-in-cape-town/
