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Addressing judicial corruption in South Africa

“The judiciary is the temple of justice, and in most cases, it is the last hope of the common man.” Prof John-Mark Iyi, director of the African Centre for Transnational Criminal Justice (ACTCJ) at the University of the Western Cape, used these words to introduce a recent webinar discussing the complex task of combating corruption Read more >

Hlophe not allowed in judges’ interviews, says WC High Court

Image: Polity The parliamentary Judicial Services Commission (JSC) interviews for magistrates and judges, an important annual event in the judiciary’s calendar for the month of October, will take place without impeached judge and MK Party parliamentary leader Dr John Hlophe. This after the Western Cape High Court on Friday granted applicants in the matter calling Read more >

The JSC must play its strategic ‘Human Resources’ function

The function of the Judicial Service Commission is to select fit and proper persons for appointment as judges and to investigate complaints about judicial officers. It also advises government on any matters relating to the judiciary or to the administration of justice. The commission has been in the news recently owing to Parliament’s nomination of Read more >

Pikoli: judiciary is under attack

Source: University of Johannesburg The University of Johannesburg (UJ) hosted the ninth Annual Helen Joseph Memorial Lecture on Thursday, 27 August 2015. This year’s speaker, Advocate Vusi Pikoli, tackled the question: Is an independent judiciary a threat to democracy? Pikoli is currently the Western Cape police ombudsman, and was the national director of public prosecutions Read more >

‘Presumed innocent’ not an invisibility cloak

Dear Corruption Watch: My local councillor is being investigated for his role in corrupt tender processes in our municipality. A senior branch member of our political party told me that I should not discuss the allegations or charges because the councillor is “innocent until proven guilty”. I understand that this is an important part of Read more >

Chief justice hits back

STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, THE HEADS OF COURT AND SENIOR JUDGES OF ALL DIVISIONS ON 8 JULY 2015 The judiciary’s commitment to the rule of law A Judge’s principal article of faith is to adjudicate without fear favour or prejudice. When each Judge assumes office she or he takes an oath or affirmation Read more >