Press Releases

The Helen Suzman Foundation records with sadness the death of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

Colin Eglin was a founder Trustee and one of the initiators of the Helen Suzman Foundation. During planning for the 1994 election with Colin, Zach de Beer, James Selfe, me and others, it was suggested that a Foundation be established as a vehicle for raising money abroad. The intention was that it would revert to a research organisation after the election, a task it has fulfilled admirably.

The Helen Suzman Foundation welcomes the President's decision to send the Protection of State Information Bill back to the National Assembly on the grounds that it would not pass constitutional muster. The Foundation remains concerned that the Bill contains many sections that are incoherent and impermissibly vague, and that there are sections in the Bill more devastating in their effect than those the President has drawn attention to.

It is with great sadness that the Helen Suzman Foundation notes the passing of former Chief Justice Pius Langa.

The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has launched legal action against the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in order to clarify the procedure and decision-making process relating to the nomination of persons for judicial office.

It is not for me to comment on the recent spat between the DA and the ANC regarding the use of the photograph of Nelson Mandela and Helen Suzman. The Foundation holds no copyright over this photograph. However, as the Director of the Foundation that bears her name, I wish to respond to aspects of the recent, ill judged statements by the ANC’s parliamentary spokesperson, Mr Moloto Mothapo, that were published by the Mail & Guardian (April 26 to May 2, 2013: p.34).

The Helen Suzman Foundation condemns the arrest of human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, and MDC affiliates in Zimbabwe.

The Helen Suzman Foundation has filed papers with the Constitutional Court to oppose the South African Police Service (SAPS) Amendment Act. The Foundation made its written submission to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for the Police on the SAPS Amendment Bill which was aimed at restructuring the Hawks. The HSF has been involved in this process since 2008 when we presented to Parliament opposing the dissolution of the Scorpions.

The Helen Suzman Foundation, Constitution Hill and Mamphela Ramphele launch the Helen Suzman Exhibition

Out of concern for the possible dilution of the right of health protection through medical schemes, a letter has been sent by civil society organisations, in the form of SECTION27, the Helen Suzman Foundation, and the Chair of Social Security at Wits University, to the Ministers of Finance and of Health. The letter warns of the possible consequences that will arise due to damaging regulations that may soon be published in terms of the Insurance Acts (short and long-term). These provisions would seek to allow unregulated insurance products to be sold as parallel insurance coverage to medical schemes.

The Helen Suzman Foundation notes that the National Assembly has passed the South African Police Services Amendment Bill, aimed at complying with the Constitutional Court's judgment in the Glenister case. In Glenister, the Court declared chapter 6A of the SAPS act, which established the Hawks, to be invalid and unconstitutional for failing to provide the Hawks with adequate independence to effectively fight corruption.