I was saying that the hon member may be aware of the media statement issued by the Chief Justice after my meeting with the heads of court in February this year, where he expressed the judges' willingness and eagerness to declare their own financial interests, but said that they were of the view that the duty to declare interests should not be extended to their spouses and family members.
The hon member may also be aware that Parliament is considering the Regulations on Judges' Disclosure of Registrable Interests, which I tabled in Parliament during November 2010. I will continue to engage with the leadership of the judiciary before the regulations are finalised by Parliament, and I am very optimistic that these regulations will be finalised soon. Thank you.
Details relating to efforts to increase number of women judges on Bench and African women in entire judiciary system, and breakdown of percentages in changes experienced
21. Mr Z Mlenzana (Cope) asked the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:
(1) Whether his department has made an effort to increase the number of (a) women judges on the Bench and (b) African women in the entire judiciary system; if not, why not; if so, what are the proportional changes experienced in each case during the period 1 January 2009 up to 31 December 2011;
(2) whether he will provide a breakdown of the total (a) number and (b) percentages in the changes experienced; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? CO79E