CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
Assignment questions and answers 2022
Critically discuss the significance of functional independence of the judiciary in the
constitutional democracy of South Africa.
o The independence of the judiciary is a distinctive feature of a constitutional
democracy.
o The judiciary should be independent from the other branches of government, so
that it may apply the law to these branches too, to give effect to the principle that
no one is above the law.
o It should not be subject to improper influence from powerful people and entities.
o In terms of section 165(2) of the Constitution, the judiciary is established as an
independent branch which is subject only to the Constitution and the law, and it is
bound to apply the law impartially without fear, favour, or prejudice.
o The process of selection of judges by the Judicial Service Commission enhances
the independence of the judges. Helen Suzman Foundation v Judicial Service
Commission 2018 (4) SA 1 (CC).
o Security of tenure: Judges are appointed either on a permanent basis until they
attain retirement age or, in the case of judges of the Constitutional Court, for a
fixed term, or until they attain a retirement age (section 176(1) of the Constitution).
o The security of tenure provides constitutional guarantee of protection for the
judges to carry out their duties without fear of being removed from office.
, o They can only be prematurely removed from office in very specific circumstances,
such as incapacity, gross incompetence or if found guilty of misconduct, as
provided for under the Constitution (section 177(1)(a) of the Constitution).
o And in such event, the process of removal of the judge entails the passing of a
resolution in Parliament supported by votes of at least two thirds of the members.
o Financial security: Financial security is one of the mechanisms by which the
Constitution reinforces the protection of the independence of the judiciary.
o It provides that the conditions of employment of judges shall remain stable and
that their salaries, allowances, and benefits may not be reduced (section 176(3) of
the Constitution).
o This provides assurance to the judges that they shall not be victimised or suffer
reprisals in the form of loss of benefits of salary cuts owing to decisions they make
which might turn out to be unpopular with members of the other two branches of
government.
o Impartiality: Judges are required to interpret and apply the law with open mind
without bias or pre-determined outcome prior to the hearing of the parties to the
dispute.
o Judges should not be influenced by personal prejudices or allegiances, based on
political, ethnic, religious, or other considerations.
o Consider the test of impartiality formulated in SARFU case and affirmed in the
case of S and Others v van Rooyen and Others 2002 (5) SA 246 (CC).
Assignment questions and answers 2022
Critically discuss the significance of functional independence of the judiciary in the
constitutional democracy of South Africa.
o The independence of the judiciary is a distinctive feature of a constitutional
democracy.
o The judiciary should be independent from the other branches of government, so
that it may apply the law to these branches too, to give effect to the principle that
no one is above the law.
o It should not be subject to improper influence from powerful people and entities.
o In terms of section 165(2) of the Constitution, the judiciary is established as an
independent branch which is subject only to the Constitution and the law, and it is
bound to apply the law impartially without fear, favour, or prejudice.
o The process of selection of judges by the Judicial Service Commission enhances
the independence of the judges. Helen Suzman Foundation v Judicial Service
Commission 2018 (4) SA 1 (CC).
o Security of tenure: Judges are appointed either on a permanent basis until they
attain retirement age or, in the case of judges of the Constitutional Court, for a
fixed term, or until they attain a retirement age (section 176(1) of the Constitution).
o The security of tenure provides constitutional guarantee of protection for the
judges to carry out their duties without fear of being removed from office.
, o They can only be prematurely removed from office in very specific circumstances,
such as incapacity, gross incompetence or if found guilty of misconduct, as
provided for under the Constitution (section 177(1)(a) of the Constitution).
o And in such event, the process of removal of the judge entails the passing of a
resolution in Parliament supported by votes of at least two thirds of the members.
o Financial security: Financial security is one of the mechanisms by which the
Constitution reinforces the protection of the independence of the judiciary.
o It provides that the conditions of employment of judges shall remain stable and
that their salaries, allowances, and benefits may not be reduced (section 176(3) of
the Constitution).
o This provides assurance to the judges that they shall not be victimised or suffer
reprisals in the form of loss of benefits of salary cuts owing to decisions they make
which might turn out to be unpopular with members of the other two branches of
government.
o Impartiality: Judges are required to interpret and apply the law with open mind
without bias or pre-determined outcome prior to the hearing of the parties to the
dispute.
o Judges should not be influenced by personal prejudices or allegiances, based on
political, ethnic, religious, or other considerations.
o Consider the test of impartiality formulated in SARFU case and affirmed in the
case of S and Others v van Rooyen and Others 2002 (5) SA 246 (CC).
