ArticlesMediaCriminal Justice, Policing, Transitional JusticeWhen Spies Start to Take SidesThe suspension of three top National Intelligence Agency officials last week highlights the disturbing prospect of South African security agencies being drawn in to the conflict within the tripartite alliance about the prosecution of former deputy-president Jacob Zuma. Coming in the wake of the Khampepe Commission hearings, where both the NIA and South African Police Service were pitted against the… Read More CSVROctober 26, 2005
ArticlesMediaPolicingCreating the Police That We WantThe South African Police Service (SAPS) fell under the spotlight again recently with the release of the national crime statistics. Some responses to the latest statistics were quite positive focusing on the overall decline in crimes such as murder with increases in other categories interpreted as proof of higher reporting, reflecting greater confidence in the SAPS. Others were more guarded,… Read More CSVROctober 4, 2005
ArticlesMediaGender-based ViolenceTelling Us What Counts in Rape StatisticsLast year, when the rape statistics went down, this was offered as proof of the police's success in preventing rape. This year, when the statistics went up ("Change is fear". September 23), the increase was explained as proof of greater public confidence in the police, thus encouraging women to report the crime. These self-congratulatory claims, offered without so much as… Read More CSVRSeptember 30, 2005
ArticlesMediaInequalities, Memory and Memorialisation, Transitional JusticeWhose Heritage Are We Celebrating Anyway?As the 24th of September draws closer, many of us lament the fact that this year, the last holiday in the year, until the December festivities that is, falls on a Saturday, and sadly not a day off work for many of us. Never fear, the annual heritage day bash hosted by government, promises to be the usual eclectic mix… Read More CSVRSeptember 22, 2005
ArticlesMediaInequalities, Social CohesionZuma Saga and the Rule of Law: Justice Must Be Seen to Be TrustedLast week's meeting of the African National Congress executive committee, including the commitment by President Thabo Mbeki and ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma to work together, may provide a way forward for the tripartite alliance in managing internal tensions which have reached boiling point following the judgment in the Schabir Shaik trial. But it is not clear what impact it… Read More CSVRSeptember 20, 2005
ArticlesMediaPeacebuilding, Transitional JusticeUps and Downs for SudanRichard Smith – who serves on the ACTION Steering Committee member and is active in the Peace and Development Platform (PAD) - was in Sudan at the same time as Garang to assist in facilitating a peacebuilding training for members of community youth groups from across the country. The programme was supported by the Azza Women's Association, the Centre for… Read More CSVRSeptember 1, 2005
