The ConCourt has been the star of the show in the news this week with two high profile decisions around former president Jacob Zuma and current head of state Cyril Ramaphosa. Today the apex court cleared Ramaphosa of allegations that have been plagued him since the start of his presidency. The allegations included lying to parliament about donations received for the CR17 ANC presidency campaign and that Ramaphosa personally benefitted from funds donated to the campaign.
News24 legal journalist, Karyn Maughan breaks down Justice Chris Jafta’s finding in the CR17 debacle that Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane altered the executive ethics code to find that Ramaphosa had lied to parliament. The damming decision by the court places calls for Mkwebane to be removed from office back into the spotlight. (Subscribe to read)
Financial Mail columnist Justice Malala asks, “where is our outrage?” following the news that Deputy President David Mabuza sought medical treatment in Russia recently while NGO Gift of the Givers were drilling boreholes at local hospitals that did not have access to water. (Subscribe to read)
Mpumelelo Mkhabela writes in News24 around the Zuma ConCourt decision, which sent the former president to an effective 15 months’ imprisonment for failing to show up at the Zondo Commission. Mkhabela delves into the whataboutism around prosecuting former apartheid leaders while anti-apartheid activists are sent to jail. It’s a fascinating take. (Subscribe to read)
Here’s a roundup of the day’s most interesting opinions:
- SA Reserve Bank: One hundred years of latitude – Fin24 (Subscribe to read)
- Health minister needed, stat – Financial Mail (Subscribe to read)
- South Africa’s latest Covid-19 lockdown puts spotlight back on vaccination failures – Mail & Guardian
- How the ANC broke SA’s small towns – Financial Mail
- Powerful precedent: ConCourt draws a line in the sand with Zuma judgment – Daily Maverick
