Summary
A crucial test of whether Mbeki, and his successor, will respect judicial independence will be their response to the recent extraordinary complaint by the Constitutional Court about attempts to influence its proceedings by Cape Judge John Hlophe, who is accused of professional misconduct yet, instead of being disciplined, is being touted as a possible successor to the current head of the Constitutional Court, the respected Pius Langa. Whatever Cosatu's shortcomings, it is hardly appropriate for much richer black and white elites to urge the trade unions to tighten their belts, while inequality is high and tax rates, particularly on inheritance and capital gains, remain low by international standards.
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Fundamental Failures
SOUTH AFRICANS ARE FED UP WITH THEIR President Thabo Mbeki, according to leading analyst Mamphela Ramphele. This mood of disatisfaction led the African National Congress' conference last December to reject Mbeki's re-election as its President, a powerful post he hoped to retain when his term as the country's President ends in a year's time. His rejection followed growing protests and sometimes violent demonstrations against government policies.
These events have deeper causes than the well-known cases of Mbeki's much-criticised policies on HIV/Aids and Zimbabwe. The wider i...See the full content of this document
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