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johann van der westhuizenlatest news & developments
Abusive: Ever since 2007, when he was indicted on charges linked to the 1990s arms deal, Jacob Zuma has appeared in court regularly. One such appearance was on 26 May 2021 (above) in the Pietermaritzburg high court where pleaded not guilty to fraud, corruption, racketeering and money-laundering. (Phill Magakoe/Getty Images)

The price South Africa pays for Zuma’s freedom

The former president is probably correct in believing he will never serve another day in prison but he has shaken faith in the justice system

The president’s decision comes five months after the Judicial Service Commission recommended the step

‘The law is for protection of the people’ – but do lawyers know it?

It’s fine to be successful and make a good living, but it is essential that law practitioners display morals and ethics and do what’s best for the client

Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and advocate Dali Mpofu.(David Harrison/M&G)

How many indications of incompetence or misconduct are needed to remove a public protector?

The public protector does not have to be fit and proper but must be competent and honest

Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga during the Constitutional Court judgement on the appointment of Shaun Abrahams as National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) on August 13, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.  (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Deaan Vivier)

Why lawyers argue the case for a Madlanga constitutional court

The brilliance of Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga’s mind and his transformative judgments can prove salutary at a time when the judiciary is under populist attack, his peers hope.

A fine balance: The apex court bench needs broadly to reflect the population. Photo: Madelene Cronjé

‘White’ elephants haunt the minds of some JSC members

Striving for racial representivity does not mean there can never be a white judge on the apex court bench again

‘A laboratory of horrors’: Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party supporters hold pictures of Figen Yuksekdag, who has been harassed, detained and jailed for her political views in Turkey. Photo: Bulent Kilic/AFP

Scrutiny and robust debate are healthy for our courts

Every judgment in favour of the government is not an indication of a captured court. The fact that we may argue about findings publicly shows how far South Africa is from, for…

The opinion of the tribunal is not legally binding but meant as a call to awareness and accountability.

Turkey tribunal accuses state of systematic torture

The international tribunal is preparing a complaint to the International Criminal Court after concluding that torture and abductions, coinciding with attacks on the judiciary and…

Justice comes with complex baggage

Retired Justice Johann van der Westhuizen leaves the Bench of the Constitutional Court with the reputation of a laid-back rebel.

When Mogoeng became chief justice

Chief justice speaks out about sex smear

Rape accusations and CIA operatives: Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng and three ConCourt judges appear to be the target of a smear campaign.

Why the ConCourt couldn’t hear Hlophe case

Why the ConCourt couldn’t hear Hlophe case

The Constitutional Court has handed down reasons for the postponement of the hearing of two cases involving Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe.