There should be no rejoicing over the guilty judgement in the trial of businessman Schabir Shaik, despite its vindication of South Africa’s prosecutorial and judicial systems. Deputy President Jacob Zuma may not have been in the dock, but the judgement indirectly indicts him in such a devastating way that it is hard to see how his political career can survive it.
This is the second part of a deeply disturbed and happy film geek and horror fan’s quick and nasty look over what is locally a mostly unknown and underrated genre. I’ve discovered that there’s no way in hell I can honestly detail horror film from 1960 to now in one 1 200-word column, and do justice to what I’m writing about.
Maryna Blomerus is the editor of South Africa’s first new Sunday newspaper in 35 years, Die Wêreld. She spoke to the <i>Mail & Guardian</i>after reports this week that the paper was in dire straits and would not be publishing this Sunday.
It was an agony drawn out over three days under the glare of TV coverage. Because of ill-health, Judge Hillary Squires’s clinical and devastating demolition of Schabir Shaik was delivered in long volleys, punctuated by overnight breaks when the accused had ample time to contemplate the unfolding nightmare.
A crisis? Sure. But which one and whose? As the results sank in on Sunday, the clever men in suits on France’s TV5 reeled off plenty to choose from: a European crisis; a domestic crisis; a crisis of legitimacy; a crisis of institutions. But the real crisis is in Paris. The detail of France’s 55%-45% verdict on the European Union constitution is illuminating.
The new Afrikaans Sunday paper Die Wêreld will not be published on Sunday, a senior staffer said. On Wednesday, assistant editor De Wet Potgieter said the paper is in ”dire straits”, but it still has its full complement of staff, its advertisers are staying on and they are positive about the paper’s future.
Click on image for full-size view.
Mariano Puerta advanced to a grand-slam semifinal for the first time in his nine-year career on Wednesday by beating fellow Argentine Guillermo Canas 6-2, 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the French Open. Three-time grand-slam champion Justine Henin-Hardenne is the heavy favourite in the women’s final four.
Unidentified men armed with guns and knives attacked villagers in Côte d’Ivoire’s western cocoa-growing area, killing 41 people and injuring 64, officials said on Wednesday. The attack occurred near the town of Duekoue, 400km north-west of the commercial capital, Abidjan.
![]()
Judgment in the Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial in the
Durban High Court is expected to be completed by midday on Thursday. On Wednesday Judge Hillary Squires adjourned the delivery of his verdict for a second consecutive day.