Capture in the Court

Since populist factions claim to be the people, judges confronting them do not just decide against the people; they are against the people. The judiciary faces a barrage of attacks not just from the ruling ANC but from other political parties clamouring for power. There comes a predictable phase in the cycle of politics where this is most likely to occur. Dan Mafora provides much-needed insight.

Dan Mafora is the senior researcher at the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution. He previously worked for the Constitutional Court of South Africa. He is also a master's student working on his thesis in constitutional law and theory at the University of Cape Town, a city he now calls home.