Respecting the feelings of her family and friends, but not wanting to be hypocritical, I will rather not comment on the death of former health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. It is always very painful for those close to someone when he or she dies and one should respect their feelings. I am, however, reproducing several quotes from [...]
Posts under ‘Uncategorized’
JSC, Minister doth protest too much
When Justice Minister Jeff Radebe (that guy who masterminded the scandalous decision of the JSC not to investigate the complaints of gross misconduct against John Hlophe because it feared that a real investigation would have to lead to the impeachment of Hlophe) gave a speech yesterday at the farewell for five justices of the Constitutional [...]
Do we have freedom of concience and religion at public schools?
Discussing freedom of religion and conscience protected by section 15 of the Constitution a few years ago, a Muslim student told me her Grade 1 daughter was forced to learn the song: “Fishing for Jesus.” When she complained about this to the teacher, the enterprising teacher made a plan. A few days later her daughter [...]
No place for Judge who has contempt for gay men, lesbians and HIV positive South Africans Zackie Achmat
No place for Judge who has contempt for gay men, lesbians and HIV positive South Africans
Zackie Achmat
I AGREE with the opinion held by many that Cape Judge President John Hlophe is an unprincipled and unethical person not fit to hold judicial office. However, I want to write about Hlophe’s phobias — his fear, contempt and [...]
Constitutionally Speaking is expanding
Along with the new design, Constitutionally Speaking is expanding to include two new sections. Contributions are invited to the seminar room, which is a forum for debate and discussion on constitutional law and political governance issues. Submissions must be between 700 and 3000 words and can deal with any relevant constitutionalism topic, including a comment [...]
Animal cruelty and ethical double standards
Don’t get me wrong: Like many other South Africans I love animals. Cats and dogs can be good pets (loving and loyal – especially around meal times), while a tender piece of steak (cut from the carcas of a dead calf and then lightly browned in a pan and served with mushrooms) can be extremely [...]
No Shaiking the truth
Someone at the Correctional Services Department must have been taking a course in creative fiction writing. How else to explain their most recent press statement which argues there is no basis to review the decision to free fraudster Schabir Shaik on medical parole?
Shaik – who was released because he was supposedly in the last stages [...]
The Public Protector in the dog box
Last week Judge JNM Poswa delivered a damning judgment in the North Gauteng High Court in which he set aside a “report” (well, more like an excuse for a report, also called a “whitewash”) by the Public Protector into the so called Oilgate scandal. The judgment bends over backward to be “fair and balanced” [...]
Innocent until proven guilty – but only when you are a politician
The newly appointed National Commissioner of Police, Bheki Cele, seems to have a very short memory. Just a few months ago he was one of the politicians who regularly attended the various court appearances of Jacob Zuma – who was then still an accused in a criminal trial. Then Cele and everyone who knew which [...]
Weekend breather
Some fun definitions from Ambrose Bierce’s Devil’s Dictionary:
DEFAME, v.t. To lie about another. To tell the truth about another.
POLITICS, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
POLITICIAN, n. An eel in the fundamental mud upon which the superstructure of organized society is reared. When [...]
