A legal and political crisis, plus five highlights from 'Vrye Weekblad'

Here's what's hot in the latest edition of the Afrikaans digital weekly

05 March 2021 - 07:47 By TimesLIVE
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Western Cape judge president John Hlophe.
Western Cape judge president John Hlophe.
Image: TREVOR SAMSON

A judge is accused by two senior colleagues of trying to influence them to protect the president in a court case. The judge is accused of assault by another colleague. Two more serious charges are being investigated against him. 

Then, a senior politician and lapdog of the above-mentioned president is charged with bribery. It was alleged that he tried to sink a parliamentary inquiry that could have been embarrassing for this president's faction of the ruling party.  

This judge decides to hear that case himself, even though there are many parallels between this and the charges of undue influencing against him and even when there seem to be signs that he leans towards that president's faction. 

After just a few days of testimony, this judge decided to throw the case out, allegedly because the state has no case. His colleagues say this ruling is very strange and unjust.

Does this sound like a legal system that is supposed to be a strong pillar of our democracy?


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The judge is of course John Hlophe and the president is Jacob Zuma. The politician in the dock is Bongani Bongo who is still an ANC MP.

It was predictable that the Zuma-Magashule-RET faction would see Hlophe's ruling as a victory for their side and a blow to the Ramaphosa faction. 

And they are of course correct. 

Bongo's acquittal is the final nail in the coffin for the efforts to get ANC leaders who stand accused of corruption or other serious charges to step back until their court cases are concluded. 

Read the full article and more news and analysis in this week's edition of Vrye Weekblad.


Must-read articles in this week's Vrye Weekblad

FREE TO READ — LET'S FIX IT | We speak to Willie Jones, one of the heroes behind the big move to fix things on the platteland.

THE WEEK IN POLITICS | Max du Preez looks at eNCA's Lindsay Dentlinger, Cyril who is both weak and strong, and the DA who should be very worried about the Solidarity movement.

THE LIBRARY IS OPEN | This week we cover female crime writers, new short stories and a red-hot new novel that was written by two women. 

IT AIN'T OVER YET | After 14 years and 20 seasons, Keeping up with the Kardashians comes to an end. Regardless of what we think of them, Kris, Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, Kendall and Kylie are laughing all the way to the bank – and probably at us.

HERE'S JANE! | The star of this year's Golden Globes was undoubtedly Jane Fonda. We discover how she is always there just when you need her. 


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