EDITORIAL: Courts running the country

The increasing trend of civil matters dominating our court rolls in recent years should not taken lightly, as this could be a red flag that our administrative and governance systems are not sound enough.

While we respect the rights of aggrieved persons to approach the courts for legal relief, we are also alive to the fact that there is seemingly a breakdown in our systems when it comes to effectively carrying out processes involving fairness.

It is almost as if the courts are running the country, especially when considering the amount of court challenges involving government decisions and conduct.

Whether tenders and electoral outcomes are being challenged, appointments disputed or poor service delivery bemoaned, our courts have certainly become a battleground for sound governance.

The judiciary is one part of government; it is therefore upon those tasked to run the executive and legislature to determine where our system is losing the plot, seeing that we have so many legislative and executive decisions being challenged.

It is pivotal that we protect the independence and integrity of our court system. We can only keep our fingers crossed that those responsible for appointing judicial officials do so in the interest of the country, not individuals.



While we pray that our courts do not fall victim to abuse for economic or political gains, the public must also refrain from going on the attack when court outcomes are not in their favour.