The ANC Women’s League will fight rough against the judiciary and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela should they enter into political debates, the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) said at Luthuli House on Thursday.

“Those that are in chapter 9 institutions should not assume the role of political parties. Once they assume that role, political parties are not going to keep quiet. They are going to fight and fights can be very rough in the political scene,” said ANCWL president Bathabile Dlamini.

Dlamini was briefing the media on the league’s election plans and its upcoming celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Women’s March.

She said Madonsela was elected by President Jacob Zuma and should therefore remain neutral.

Dlamini then took a swipe at the judiciary accusing it of starting political debates.

“If the judiciary takes a decision and makes judgment, they don’t have to go out and explain why they are doing that.

“Once they start doing that, they are starting a debate. They are getting into the political frame. We are not going to keep quiet, more particularly when the ANC is put in a corner. We cannot be spectators,” she added.

The ANCWL’s criticism followed the Constitutional Court’s judgment two months ago that Zuma violated the Constitution when he ignored Madonsela’s remedial action that he repay some of the money spent on so-called security upgrades to his private Nkandla homestead.