WHEN Jacob Zuma’s lawyers raced to court recently to stop the release of a report finding evidence of “state capture” by the president’s wealthy cronies, the cameras were waiting. A live broadcast of proceedings dominated South Africa’s TV news. Viewers hung on hours of dry legal arguments, for all the world as if watching a juicy soap opera.
An unexpected by-product of Mr Zuma’s scandal-plagued presidency has been a growing public interest in the justice system. Faced with politically sensitive cases, and under enormous scrutiny, South Africa’s courts have proven fair and effective. After hearing arguments, a panel of High Court judges ordered that the report by South Africa’s anti-graft ombudsman be released that very day. When the country’s highest court ruled in March that Mr Zuma had violated the constitution in a row over taxpayers’ cash spent on his private village estate, proceedings were similarly broadcast live to a rapt nation.
The African National Congress (ANC) still dominates parliament, despite deepening rot under Mr Zuma and opposition gains in August’s local elections. But the courts are seen as an...Continue reading
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