In a lengthy statement on the Politicsweb site, it notes 'Smuts purports to lecture on the rule of law and the imperatives of the Constitution. He toots his own horn and says when he was on the JSC he questioned candidates about their understanding of constitutional principles, such as the rule of law and the values and principles of the Constitution. He critiques the lack of focus on these questions by the other commissioners.' The HETN says he was implying that candidates selected by the JSC did not understand the values and principles of the Constitution. It adds: 'Perhaps it never occurred to Smuts that others did not take him seriously, given his historical baggage and his incessant fight today to preserve white male privilege in the profession. Perhaps it never occurred to him that his idea of the rule of law, separation of powers or the imperatives of the Constitution were not shared by the other commissioners.' Full statement on the Politicsweb site Smuts' address on the Politicsweb site