18 June 2000
The South African Communist Party (SACP) mourns the passing away of Chief Justice Ismail Mahomed. We send our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and comrades. We share your pain and grief. We dip our revolutionary banner in memory of this great son of the soil and unique revolutionary of our times.
His life represents a long history and contribution to the struggle against apartheid and the current struggle for fundamental transformation of our society. As a young lawyer and advocate, he fought against apartheid through representing many anti-aparthe id activists and fighting for a human rights based judicial system. He continued with his contribution through incisive and decisive legal interventions during the constitutional negotiations in South Africa and Namibia.
As South Africa’s first black Chief Justice, he set himself the task of restoring the legitimacy and sovereignty of the law in the eyes of South Africa’s majority. He supported the fundamental transformation of the judiciary to make it a friend and protect or of the people.
As the SACP we commit ourselves to continue with the struggle for the fundamental transformation of our judiciary. Specifically, the SACP argues for a judiciary that understands and relates to the interests and needs of women, the working class and the poo r, as Chief Justice Mahomed did.
CONTACT
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information & Publicity
South African Communist Party
Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2
Fax: 27 11 339-4244
Cell: 083 651 0271
Email: sacp1@wn.apc.org