News
The state of the rule of law in SA: Freedom Under Law Chair, Justice Azhar Cachalia in discussion with Ann Bernstein of the Centre for Development Enterprise (CDE)
Azhar Cachalia, former judge of South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal from 2006 until his retirement in 2021, and now a visiting professor at Rhodes
FUL, Judges Matter, Casac, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Defend our Democracy and Helen Suzman Foundation letter to the Speaker of Parliament re the composition of the JSC and former judge Hlophe’s nomination for that constitutional body.
The Speaker of the National AssemblyThe Honourable Ms T DidizaParliament of the RSACape Town80002 July 2024Dear Madam Speaker, Designation of members of the Judicial Service
Commissions, Corruption and State Capture: Charting the Way Forward for South Africa
by Judith February and Sanan Mirzoyev (kindly supported by the Bradlow Foundation and published by SAIIA) South Africa’s fledgling democracy has seen its fair share
Timeline of Judge Hlophe’s Removal
DOWNLOAD THE PDF VERSION NOVEMBER 2004 Oasis Crescent Property Fund sues Judge Desai for alleged defamation. It comes to light that Judge Hlophe had been
Timeline of Judge Motata’s Removal
DOWNLOAD THE PDF VERSION JANUARY 2007 Judge Motata drives into a residential wall whilst intoxicated and is subsequently involved in a verbal confrontation with the
JOINT SUBMISSION TO PARLIAMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW AND THE AHMED KATHRADA FOUNDATION ON THE GENERAL INTELLIGENCE LAWS AMENDMENT BILL (GILAB): DECEMBER 2023
These submissions are made jointly by Freedom Under Law (‘FUL’) and the Ahmed
Kathrada Foundation (‘AKF’) (collectively, the ‘Parties’) in response to Parliament’s call
for public comment on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill 2023 (the ‘Bill’)
Government Gazette No. 49717 of 14 November 2023
Top judicial posts in the offing as ‘reformed’ JSC prepares to interview candidates
Next week, between 2 and 6 October, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) meets for the second of its two annual sittings. Several important positions are
Freedom Under Law report on Judicial Service Commission should be urgently considered
The judiciary is the one arm of the state that has, at least in significant part, been faithful to its constitutional obligations. The less said
SUBMISSION: JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION INTERVIEWS OCTOBER 2023
SUBMISSION: JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION INTERVIEWS OCTOBER 2023 The FUL report Criteria and guidelines, and the conduct of interviews “The JSC also needs to develop a
Justice Johann Kriegler Retires as Chair of Freedom Under Law
Johannesburg, 1 August 2023: – After 15 years as Chair of Freedom under Law, Justice Johann Kriegler conveyed to its Board at its biennial meeting on
Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (Slapps)
FREEDOM UNDER LAW / UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM on STRATEGIC LITIGATION AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: INAUGURAL LECTURE DELIVERED BY DARIO MILO ON 27 JULY
Freedom Under Law concerned by reported shortcomings in Constitutional Court record-keeping
The Constitutional Court’s electronic case management and filing systems are vital to its functioning. The justices and their staff are entitled to the best available technical
FUL welcomes suspension of Judge Hlophe
Freedom Under Law welcomes the decision by the President yesterday to suspend the Judge President of the Western Cape High Court, Judge MJ Hlophe, in
Sydney Kentridge 100
A member of FUL’s International Advisory Board On 5 November 2022 Freedom Under Law had the privilege and singular pleasure of congratulating its oldest office-bearer
JCC ruling against Judge Kriegler
Freedom Under Law notes the ruling by Judge Zondi, sitting as the Judicial Conduct Committee and dated 29 July 2022, in respect of a complaint
Media Statement issued by Freedom Under Law, Section27, Defend our Democracy Campaign, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Seri and Corruption Watch
NGOs condemn Minister Motsoaledi’s attack on Helen Suzman Foundation Three features distinguish our country from many other young democracies: first, respect for the Rule of
Advocate Mkhwebane suspended – but not Judge Hlophe
Again and again, Advocate Mkhwebane has embroiled her office in legal battles unrelated to her constitutional duty as Public Protector. The courts have repeatedly made
Gauteng High Court dismisses Judge Hlophe’s review application
Freedom Under Law welcomes the dismissal by a full bench of the Gauteng High Court of Judge President Hlophe\’s application to review the Judicial Service Commission
Former Minister Bathabile Dlamini sentenced
Nobody can be pleased to see a once powerful person humbled. But Freedom Under Law is gratified that its ongoing battle to clean up the
Judith February appointed Executive Officer
Johannesburg – Tomorrow Judith February takes over at Freedom Under Law as its new Executive Officer. A lawyer and a respected governance specialist and analyst,
Civil Society calls for no new interviews at JSC until code of conduct and criteria for appointment in place
Nine civil society organisations have called on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) not to proceed with any new interviews for judicial appointment until the JSC
Judicial Service Commission proceedings: Tuesday 1 to Friday 4 February 2022
This week the Judicial Service Commission will be interviewing a shortlist of four senior judges in order to advise the President on the selection of
In Memoriam: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
Like all in South Africa, Freedom Under Law mourns the loss of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. His contributions to the life of our democracy –
Judge Cachalia joins FUL Board
Following Judge Azhar Cachalia’s retirement from the Supreme Court of Appeal earlier this year, Freedom Under Law is proud to welcome him on its Board.
FUL seeks to appoint Executive Officer
Executive Officer Johannesburg, Gauteng Freedom Under Law Freedom Under Law (FUL) seeks to appoint an Executive Officer. The Executive Officer reports to the FUL Board
What criteria does the JSC use for appointing judges?
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has recently been the focus of justifiable criticism, so much so that a constitutional challenge to the April round of
FUL welcomes decision to prosecute Bathabile Dlamini
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW Freedom Under Law welcomes the decision by the Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute former Minister of Social
FUL opposes delay to Local Government Elections
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW On Friday the Constitutional Court will hear argument from a number of parties in a vigorously contested constitutional case.
FUL disappointed in choice of Judge Hlophe to preside over Speaker appointment ceremony
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW The National Assembly is meeting to elect from among its ranks a new Speaker, a person of awesome responsibility
Civil Society demands accountability for State Capture criminals
The Civil Society Working Group on State Capture has called for the accountability of criminals fingered in the State Capture Commission of Inquiry led by
FUL releases inaugural podcast: Building the Constitutional Court
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW Available from today on Freedom Under Law’s website and on Soundcloud, FUL’s inaugural podcast is a discussion with Judge
FUL letter to JSC re Judge Hlophe
In a letter to the Judicial Service Commission, Freedom Under Law calls for action based on the findings of the Judicial Conduct Tribunal that Judge
This is where John Hlophe erred in Bongo’s acquittal
Earlier this year, Freedom Under Law (FUL) took the unusual step of publicly criticising Judge John Hlophe\’s dismissal of the charge of corruption against former
Bathabile Dlamini pays personal costs to FUL, Black Sash and CALS
Former Minister Bathabile Dlamini has paid costs awarded against her personally to Freedom Under Law (FUL), the Black Sash Trust and the Centre for Applied
FUL welcomes ConCourt order over profits from illegal CPS-SASSA contract
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW Freedom Under Law welcomes the order granted by the Constitutional Court this morning in its application for an order
FUL endorses ‘Defend Our Democracy’ campaign
Freedom Under Law endorses the Defend our Democracy campaign, launched a week ago in a bid to defend the Constitution. The campaign, which has gained
Civil Society supports Zondo Commission – urges Zuma to respect the Constitution
Some of South Africa’s foremost civil society organisations have come out strongly in support of the State Capture Commission and have insisted that former president
FUL condemns military coup in Myanmar
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW Freedom Under Law (FUL) wishes to support the attached statement issued by the Independent Lawyers’ Association of Myanmar (ILAM).
Zuma’s conduct is calculated defiance of the Rule of Law, says FUL
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW Mr Zuma has now gone too far. When he took office as president of our country he promised to
Apparent breach of the Rule of Law in the Western Cape High Court
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW Freedom Under Law has instructed its lawyers to prepare an urgent application in the Constitutional Court following a grave
No one is above the law, says FUL, not even a former president
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW No one is above the law, not even a former president. Mr Zuma’s walk-out of the State Capture Inquiry
FUL welcomes JSC decision to recommend suspension of Judges Makhubele and Parker
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW Freedom Under Law welcomes the decision of the Judicial Service Commission to recommend to the President that he suspend
FUL sees Mdluli’s sentence as a vindication of the Rule of Law
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW Earlier today General Richard Mdluli, former head of Crime Intelligence in the SAPS, was sentenced in the High Court,
FUL mourns the death of George Bizos
9 September 2020 It is with the greatest sadness that Freedom Under Law (FUL) marks the death of board member, George Bizos. George was, in
Ruling against brave Beatrice Mtetwa invites only outrage, says FUL
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW If, in these quasi-apocalyptic times, there were to be a type of Noah’s ark rerun, but instead of saving
Continued brutalities in Zimbabwe leave the South African Government with a stark choice, says FUL
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW South Africans have long had to watch as Zimbabwe descends ever deeper into anarchy. Nearly twenty years ago the Mugabe
FUL calls for the Malawian Government to respect the Rule of Law and judicial independence
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW Freedom Under Law (FUL) is alarmed at the developing judicial crisis in Malawi. Malawi\’s cabinet is seeking the removal
FUL condemns police brutality in the US and South Africa
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW As an organisation dedicated to the rule of law, we at FUL are mindful that the police brutality meted
FUL lodges papers with ConCourt in CPS-SASSA saga
MEDIA STATEMENT BY FREEDOM UNDER LAW Last Thursday Freedom Under Law lodged papers with the Constitutional Court asking it to intervene once again in the