Litigation lust not the only way to resolve disputes
Courts do have a crucial role in political cases but alternative dispute resolution mechanisms should be considered
Constitution
ConCourt to hear Zuma’s rescission application on 12 July
The commission will oppose the former president’s application and was directed to file papers to the court next week
DA calls for elections to be held in October, EFF wants them postponed to March 2022
The electoral commission heard that delaying local government elections will be an assault on democracy and that people’s lives should not be put at risk during the Covid crisis
SCA overturns ruling that held level-four lockdown regulations were unconstitutional
The initial challenge to the restrictions was so vaguely argued that the high court appeared to have chosen to see a case where there was none, the SCA found
‘Postpone the elections and spare lives,’ Motsoeneng tells inquiry
Inquiry leader and former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke emphasised the need for democratic processes not to falter because of the pandemic.
Cuban engineers ‘displace’ local scientists on state bursaries
South African scientists’ contracts were allegedly not renewed because of a funding gap
Born in jubilation, South Africa’s constitution faces a test 25 years later
Democracy is everyone’s responsibility to defend. Now is a critical time to double up efforts to guard this nation’s constitutional integrity
No more excuses for land inertia
In the second of a three-part series on South Africa’s land question, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi says the constitution is clear: land seized under colonial states must be returned. But there is only policy confusion and elite possession
Panel on Mkhwebane was proof of parliament’s caution, court hears
Counsel argued the National Assembly had not delegated its power on weighing if there were grounds to remove the public protector, but canvassed advice
Court must rule on constitutionality of public protector’s removal — Mpofu
The public protector is not challenging her fitness to hold office, but the rule enabling the National Assembly to remove her from office
Rights: Should South Africa trade freedom for food?
The constitution delivered in many areas but SA still has a way to go to ensure people’s rights are respected
Sakeliga has a ‘secret agenda’
But Afriforum’s business wing says the finance minister is playing the race card
Moseneke chosen to decide whether or not to delay October local government elections
IEC says it is technically ready for the election, but Covid-19 raises safety concerns around voting and political campaigning.
Right to clean air ‘progressively realisable’ in polluted Mpumalanga Highveld, court hears
State argues dirty air can’t be ‘miraculously’ fixed overnight in final day of proceedings in landmark Deadly Air case
Landmark Deadly Air case: 10 000 deaths annually can be avoided
There is no legal mechanism in place to implement and enforce measures to prevent toxic air pollution in the Highveld
Even religion has limits on its rights
The constitution does protect faith — but not beyond what is reasonable
Freedom Under Law sends letter of demand to JSC on suspending Hlophe
The letter follows the commission’s insistence that the embattled Western Cape judge president will partake in this week’s interviews of candidates
Editorial: Beware the cruel noise of Twitter
Users of social media and journalists need to take care when posting or reporting about children and tragic events
Heavy-handed police must respect the right to protest
The charge of public violence was intended to deter street brawls but is being used to punish protesters and discourage dissent
Pandemic vote: What will the local government elections look like?
Everything you need to know about South Africa’s options for holding municipal polls — and the dangers we face.
Apartheid lives: Why we still use that era’s ‘racial’ categories
While race is still central, it is the battle among the rich for the wealth of South Africa that has exacerbated inequality
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate – A human rights question
The South African Human Rights Commission reiterates its call in encouraging everyone to have themselves vaccinated against Covid-19
Judgments and jurisprudence: Presiding over presidential petitions in Africa
The verdicts handed down in Kenya and Malawi set a precedent that the quality of an election and the environment in which the election is held do matter and have a bearing on the outcome, regardless of numbers
Editorial: Where is the accountability?
We need consequences, otherwise we will continue to get more of the same
Zondo to ask the Constitutional Court to send Zuma to jail for flouting summons
The deputy chief justice says he has to act because Zuma’s defiance risks inciting lawlessness
SIU to beef up security after investigators threatened during PPE probe
The Special Investigating Unit found that companies were awarded tenders despite not qualifying for the contracts.
DA goes to court over government’s ‘tardy’ vaccine rollout strategy
Democratic Alliance drags the government to court, demanding a Covid-19 vaccination rollout plan.
Racial bias against black medical practitioners ‘reflects fissures of an unresolved past’
The testimonials of black doctors have given credence to allegations of racial profiling. Of those listed on a Gems blacklist, 94% of general practitioners were black
Eskom’s emissions are not compatible with the South African constitution
The government must not cave to Eskom’s demand that it be exempt from air pollution rules. Furthermore, the power utility needs to stay true to the principles of its own just transition strategy
The system to save failed councils needs a significant overhaul
Researchers found that interventions only come after the municipality has already collapsed, that the turnaround time is impossibly short, and that constitutional steps have been misinterpreted
Farm dwellers fight to access water and other basic services
Municipalities have failed to prioritise the rights of labour tenants and farmworkers
South Africa must revisit and refresh its idea of itself
Covid has propelled citizens into feelings of a new shared identity in which the historical force of ‘whiteness’ is fading into irrelevance
