|
Chaskalson gave life to a constitutional vision |
| Publication |
Business Day |
| Date | 2011-12-03 |
| Reporter |
Jeremy Gauntlett |
| Web Link | www.bday.co.za |
A passage he liked to quote from Louis Brandeis:
"In a government of laws, existence of the government will be imperilled if it fails to observe the law scrupulously … for good or ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law. It invites every man to become a law unto himself."
With acknowledgement to
Jeremy Gauntlett and Business Day.
"If the government
becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for
law. It invites every man to become a law unto
himself."
And that's exactly what has happened since 1994.
The worst of these law breakers is the National
Prosecuting Authority whose duty it has become
to protect the biggest scoundrel of all, the
President.
The constitution allowed a scumbag to become
president and then it allowed this scumbag to
appoint a line of gatekeepers to first free him
from criminal prosecution and later to protect
him forever more.
But while I am tortured and other men look away
in the most perfect unconcern, I am ultimately
concerned.
Arthur Chaskalson - you tried hard, but did not
succeed - but may you rest in peace.