Anti-gay chief justice appointed in S Africa

[William769]

(Johannesburg) President Jacob Zuma on Thursday appointed Mogoeng Mogoeng as chief justice of South Africa, casting aside accusations that the judge has been lenient on rapists and is homophobic.
Critics of the new Chief Justice Mogoeng have said they will fight his appointment all the way to the Constitutional Court, which he now commands. Only a handful of organizations, including the Black Lawyers Association, had supported Mogoeng.

Social justice, women’s interest and gay rights groups, opposition parties, three South African bar associations and nine U.S. law professors all had written submissions against the nomination. Three women Nobel laureates joined them on Wednesday to urge Zuma not to go ahead with the appointment.

Zuma told a news conference he had taken into account the submissions to the commission that interviewed Mogoeng for the position for two days over the weekend. He then thanked Mogoeng for the dignity with which he had met the barrage of criticism.

http://www.365gay.com/news/anti-gay-chief-justice-appointed-in-s-africa/



SAfrica chief justice candidate criticized for being anti-gay, anti-female

(Johannesburg) Opposition is mounting to a pastor nominated to lead South Africa’s judicial system who critics say is an apologist for rapists in a country with the world’s highest incidence of sexual assault.
Opponents are also questioning whether Judge Mogoeng Mogoeng can put the country’s constitution, one of the most liberal in the world, ahead of the Bible.

And they ask what his stand is on gay rights enshrined in the constitution since he belongs to a church that believes homosexuality is a disease that can be cured.

On Wednesday three women Nobel Laureates joined South African social justice groups urging President Jacob Zuma not to appoint Mogoeng as chief justice.


http://www.365gay.com/news/safrica-chief-justice-candidate-criticized-for-being-anti-gay-anti-female/

[MADem]

1. Are they not known for their tolerance on this score? Is this surprising, really?

I think when it comes to sexual integrity and rights, they're a bit behind the curve across the board.

Doesn't make the appointment right, but it does make it, well, unsurprising.

[William769]

2. Yes their intolerance is known but it doesn't mean they are going to get a free pass with it.

[MADem]

3. The more people who make a fuss, the better. NT