Lindiwe Zulu

Photo: GCIS

Judge blasts ‘irrational’ Lindiwe Zulu, as latest gaffe puts her on the brink

A humiliating court defeat – followed by some stern criticism from the judge – has left Lindiwe Zulu in a perilous position on Monday afternoon.

Lindiwe Zulu

Photo: GCIS

Lindiwe Zulu suffered an embarrassing defeat in court on Monday after Judge Hans Fabricius ruled that Early Development Centres (EDCs) could reopen, overturning the ministry’s previous rules.

What the judge said about Lindiwe Zulu

Zulu, the Social Development Minister, has been condemned for her conduct during lockdown by several political commentators. But this verdict also came with a firm tongue-lashing from the judiciary. When the judgment was handed down, the departmental head was slammed for ‘falling short’ of the required standards:

“The conduct of the first respondent in these proceedings falls far short of the standard that can and must be expected in these crucially important proceedings concerning young and vulnerable children.

My strong disapproval thereof must be expressed. Were it not for the interests of young children, I would have made short-thrift of all the inadmissible evidence”

Judge Hans Fabricius

EDC verdict – where it all went wrong for the minister

Fabricius continued in his ruling, adding:

  • Lindiwe Zulu, as the first respondent, was branded ‘irrational’ by the judge.
  • The minister was also slammed for a ‘flagrrant disregard’ of her Constitutional duties.
  • Adding insult to injury, Zulu was also instructed to pay the costs of the legal case.

Lindiwe Zulu facing an uncertain future

Over the weekend, reports had also surfaced that Lindiwe Zulu would be disposed of during an upcoming Cabinet shuffle – although the authenticity of these plans is yet to be confirmed. Alexandra Abrahams, who serves as the DA’s eyes and ears on Social Development, was not so coy on Monday: She heartily implored President Ramaphosa to fire his ‘incapable’ minister:

“Lindiwe Zulu is only the latest minister to utterly fail her mandate in having the best interest of those in her care at heart and ensuring that she serves the vulnerable in our society. The Minister has so little regard for the sector and the children it benefits, that she failed to even file an answering affidavit.”

“Minister Zulu has shown continuous disdain to the poor of South Africa, from her deplorable failings regarding SASSA grants to her abysmal handling of the reopening of the ECD sector. She’s incapable of managing a crucial ministry. She must go where she can do no more harm, for the good of us all.”

Alexandra Abrahams