President Jacob Zuma’s response to a meeting requested by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng regarding attacks on the judiciary is “farcical”, the DA said on Thursday.

It was “bizarre considering his term in office has been marred by the flagrant contempt he and his executive have demonstrated for our judiciary”, Democratic Alliance MP Glynnis Breytenbach said in statement.

Mogoeng’s call this week came after senior ANC leaders and its alliance partners criticised the judiciary, accusing it of overreaching into the political sphere through its judgments.

Mogoeng rejected claims that judges were being influenced to reach specific verdicts.

Breytenbach called Zuma’s response, in which he reasserted his commitment to the independence of the judiciary and its role, completely farcical.

Zuma and his executive showed contempt for the rule of law.

“The current wave of public criticism by the president and his executive in fact constitutes an escalating attempt to intimidate the judiciary to betray its constitutional duty and instead do the bidding of the executive.

“It is clear that the aim of this so-called transformation is for the judiciary not to question the ANC when it subverts the rule of law.”

Zuma’s conduct in the last seven months alone, spoke for itself, she added.

“The truth of the matter is that Mr Zuma has no credibility on this issue and his repeated overtures about his commitment to judicial independence are meaningless.” News24