President Nelson Mandela has noted the judgement by Justice William de Villiers on the case regarding the appointment by himself of a Commission of inquiry into the affairs of South African rugby.
The President wishes to reiterate that he will abide by the decisions of our courts; and that all South Africans should likewise accept their rulings. The independence of the judiciary is one important pillar of our democracy. President Mandela trusts that there were compelling grounds for Justice de Villiers to handle the ruling in the manner that he did, prior to completing reasons for his judgement.
It is on account of this respect for the judiciary and the law that the President concurs with the government's legal team that the matter should be subjected to review through appropriate judicial channels. As such, he wishes not to make any further statements on the legal aspects of the matter until the judicial process has run its course.