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traditional courts billlatest news & developments

Traditional Courts Bill sidelines women

There are serious concerns about the constitutionality of the bill

File photo by
David Harrison/M&G

Parliament passes problematic Traditional Courts Bill

The Stop the Bantustans Campaign says the current version of the Bill is unconstitutional as it has no opt-out clause, thereby forcing rural people to use courts with which they…

It’s time to fashion a new language of development which responds effectively to real people’s real needs

Government does not have the right to ignore rural citizens

Proposed changes to the Traditional Courts Bill to remove the possibility to “opt out” and use magistrate’s courts instead are probably unconstitutional, and definitely play into…

The Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill recognises the Khoi-San as people worthy of legislative protection. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

The ‘Bantustan Bills’ remain disastrously flawed

If passed, powers will be given to unelected leaders and people will be dispossed of land rights

What we know is that women’s already abrogated land rights are made even worse by the land tenure disaster. (Madelene Cronje/M&G)

Women’s rights must include land rights

Women around the world tell a similar tale of tilling the land and producing food but being denied secure rights to land

(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

​Women’s rights vs patriarchal traditions: Where does the ANC Women’s League stand?

Acquiescing to virginity testing in KwaZulu-Natal represents the start of an entrenched tolerance for patriarchy in the organisation’s ranks.

Apartheid has entrenched policymakers’ notions of rural people.

State at odds with the rights of rural people

The government’s approach to traditional affairs runs counter to the guarantee of equality for all.

Reviled Land Act is being re-enacted

The irony of two "tribal" Bills that serve the interests of chiefs over ordinary citizens appears to be lost on the ANC, writes Aninka Claassens.

“As a result of the weakened exchange rate, the October outlook is a major concern,” says Minister Jeff Radebe. (Madelene Cronje/M&G)

Traditional courts fracas goes on

The Traditional Courts Bill goes back to the provinces, raising fears that they will be bullied into supporting it.

Diamonds are prepared in Gaberone and then traded out of there rather than London. Namibia

Traditional Courts Bill sent back to provinces

Parliament has referred the controversial Traditional Courts Bill back to the provinces for "further consultation" despite most rejecting it.

Intellectual property: Bids for traditional knowledge

In 2004, the Cabinet approved the adoption of a policy on indigenous knowledge systems.

Traditional law denies rights

It appears that the Constitutional Court is divided between the customary and the constitutional when it comes to the Traditional Courts Bill.

The ad hoc committee corrected two technical errors in two sections of the Bill singled out by President Jacob Zuma when he sent it back to Parliament in September. (AFP)

Parliament draws fire on Traditional Courts Bill

Controversy is brewing as Parliament ignored an overwhelming number of submissions made by the public into the controversial Traditional Courts Bill.

Traditional leaders, supported by government, want luxury cars, phones and mansions. (James Oatway)

The Traditional Courts Bill is a legal travesty

The Traditional Courts Bill gives chiefs autocratic powers over people forced into tribal boundaries they reject, writes Aninka Claassens.

Traditional leaders, supported by government, want luxury cars, phones and mansions. (James Oatway)

Traditional Courts Bill revamped beyond recognition

The justice and constitutional development department is working hard to save the Traditional Courts Bill after factoring in all proposed amendments.

Minister for Women

Dissent over Traditional Courts Bill

Parliament has asked for clarity as the departments of Lulu Xingwana and Jeff Radebe contradict each other on the Traditional Courts Bill’s validity.

ANC insiders say the processing of the Bill at the National Council of Provinces was “messed up”

Traditional Bill outcry

Work on the Traditional Courts Bill, which seeks to regulate the traditional courts to bring them in line with the Constitution will continue.

Amid murder

Deep read: Violence goes beyond blood

Horrific attacks on LGBTI people require context, not shrill headlines, if they are to be understood and prevented, writes Melanie Judge.

The Traditional Courts Bill has elicited fierce debate.

A chief rules by people power

A central concept of precolonial society provides a key to the way forward in a modern democracy, writes Professor Jeff Guy.

Women in a post office in Thohoyandou

The Traditional Courts Bill must start with women’s rights

Shirhami Shirinda, a member of a rural royal family, argues that the Traditional Courts Bill will only serve to disempower many women.