SA’s mix of English and Dutch law needs to be ”Africanised” to make it more relevant, Cape Judge President John Hlophe said on Thursday night.
The process of appointing judges is not entirely transparent, the second Judicial Conference of South Africa heard in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Paul Ngobeni attacks Western Cape judge president John Hlophe in an about turn move by his staunchest defender.
Unlike with Zuma, whose lifelong commitment to non-racial democracy was so obvious, Hlophe’s progressive credentials are not so clear.
Those who care about our constitutional democracy need to speak out and act now to protect the judicial role as one of its vital guardians.
What if we were all getting it wrong? The strident defenders of Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe and his anxious detractors.
Helen Zille on Friday accused the ANC of using the transformation of the judiciary as a smokescreen for creating a bench that will serve its agenda.
The Mail & Guardian‘s Sello S Alcock speaks to Justice Minister Jeff Radebe about transformation in the judiciary, John Hlophe and more.
On the subject of how the ANC will deal with the issue of judicial independence Ramatlhodi said that if judges stick to their corners.
A recently appointed JSC member says judges are were held to high standards that Hlophe has shown he might not be able to adhere to.
The ANC seems just as reluctant to reveal its funding sources as ever. Different donors, maybe; same secrecy.
Pakistan’s reinstated top judge Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry urged lawyers on Tuesday to wipe out corruption in the judiciary amid a hero’s welcome.
The South African documentary, Courting Justice, highlights the country’s pioneering female judges.
Judge President John Hlophe has returned to
work, stirring controversy and speculation, write
Nic Dawes and Sello S Alcock.
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/ 23 January 2009
Recent media reports that the South African judiciary is being undermined have no basis, says President Kgalema Motlanthe.
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/ 24 December 2008
As we move into 2009, one prediction can be made with confidence: while the Zuma case continues, turbulent constitutional times are likely.
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/ 25 November 2008
The political climate, with members of the ruling party labelling senior judges ”counter-revolutionary” resembles that of the nationalist government.
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/ 25 November 2008
Maduna offered professional advice to Mantashe, who recently came under fire for calling Constitutional Court judges ”counter-revolutionary”.
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/ 14 November 2008
Retired Constitutional Court Judge Johann Kriegler gives his view on Judge Chris Nicholson’s ruling on the corruption charges against Jacob Zuma.
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/ 10 November 2008
What are the ”progressive values of our Constitution”? Human dignity, equality and freedom. This is not what politicians say with changing agendas.
Prominent lawyers think Judge Carole Lewis’s remarks were racist.
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/ 23 October 2008
The secrecy and tight restrictions on information give rise to suspicion and mistrust.
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/ 12 October 2008
Only four judges remain in the race to replace retiring Constitutional Court Judge Tholakele Madala.
Newly appointed Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Enver Surty warned on Monday against eroding the integrity of the judiciary.
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/ 9 September 2008
It seems a picture really is worth a thousand words after cartoonist Zapiro unleashed a storm of controversy this week.
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/ 9 September 2008
President Thabo Mbeki has written a letter to FW de Klerk, assuring him that the state is committed to judicial independence.
Award-winning cartoonist Zapiro is in the firing line over a controversial cartoon that appeared in this week’s Sunday Times.
Commentators weigh in on the likely Constitutional Court candidates
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/ 4 September 2008
Unisa vice-chancellor Barney Pityana has condemned the recent flood of criticism of the judiciary by ANC alliance leaders, the Times reported.
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/ 3 September 2008
The ultimate decision about dropping charges is thus not about morality but pragmatism, produced by the present balance of political forces.
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/ 1 September 2008
The independence of the judiciary is generally regarded as being an essential component of democratic government. There should be no doubt about this.
The <i>Mail & Guardian</i> strongly disagrees with Kgalema Motlanthe’s rather feeble reasons for wanting the Scorpions disbanded.