Dear Editor, After more than three decades, the enjoyment by all South Africans of the transition to constitutional democracy remains elusive. Certainly, SA is a better place than it was during the struggle years, but the expressed resolve of the Constitution (section...

Former National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi has withdrawn from a high-stakes inquiry into Andrew Chauke after being denied legal representation, raising serious questions about procedural fairness and the integrity of the process. what does this...

The miraculous transition from a limited form of parliamentary sovereignty to constitutional democracy for all came more than three decades ago in South Africa. The miracle was achieved after decades of struggle (some of it armed), years of painstaking negotiations, a...

 Paul Hoffman Apr 13, 2026 The Bureau for Economic Research at Stellenbosch University has devised three scenarios for the economic future of SA. The scenarios have received some media coverage, including South Africa’s future: Three economic scenarios explored. The...

Paul Hoffman | 07 April 2026 Paul Hoffman says the NPA and SAPS are demonstrably not bodies outside executive control According to a report in Polity, Busi Mavuso of Business Unity SA has expressed strong views on the dysfunction in the criminal justice system’s...

Dear Editor, A columnist, Thomas L Friedman, writing for the New York Times on 31 March 2026 under the heading “Trump has a way out of the war”, draws attention to a book written by former professor John Arquilla which contains carefully considered advice aimed at...

The criminal summons served on the chief of police, Fannie Masemola, on Wednesday 25 March 2026 refers: (https://www.businessday.co.za/news/2026-03-25-presidency-may-appoint-acting-police-chief-amid-probe-into-fannie-masemola/.) The general is not the first, and is...

 Paul Hoffman The commentariat misses the inwardness of reforming the capacity of the criminal justice system to counter corruption. The revelations pouring out at the Madlanga, Nkabinde and Khampepe Commissions of Inquiry, as well as the now (mercifully completed)...

Corruption flows like erupting lava through most aspects of life in SA today, destroying everything in its path. A strategy for stopping that flow is what we are going to examine this evening. Corruption is a secretive, deliberate, carefully planned bilateral form of...

Calata group’s legal battle highlights inquiry challenges in Khampepe’s appointment There are a few wrinkles in the wrangling over the entitlement of retired Constitutional Court judge Sisi Khampepe to preside in the inquiry into alleged political interference in the...

In recent days a new website called “PM27.org.za” has attracted a great deal of media attention. Simply google “PM27” to find the extensive mainstream media coverage. P and M are the initials of Patrice Motsepe, a novice in party politics who is the brother-in-law of...

Post-apartheid governance failures overshadow historic inequalities March 04, 2026 at 05:00 am Neil Emerick is quite right to add dignity to the debate about BEE — whether that acronym stands for black economic empowerment or black elite enrichment (“Adding dignity to...

Paul Hoffman | 26 February 2026 Paul Hoffman says unlike with the US Constitution the SA one does not include an express right to bear arms but… During SONA President Ramaphosa let it be known that his government is desirous of passing legislation further controlling...

 Paul Hoffman All too often it is assumed that the common legal phrase “without fear, favour or prejudice”, as it is used in the SA Constitution, is merely a synonym for “independence” and that those enjoined to act without fear favour or prejudice are required to act...

Paul Hoffman | 16 February 2026 Paul Hoffman says an independent body to deal effectively with corruption and organised crime is long overdue in SA The SONA of 2026, delivered in the city hall of Cape Town by President Cyril Ramaphosa contains a vital message worth...