The Cape High Court ruling against the media in the so-called parliamentary censorship and signal jamming case serves to emphasise the importance the constitution places on the integrity of our democratic institutions.

The court, sitting as a full bench, ruled two to one that Parliament "has a right to protect ...

By Thulani Gqirana, Qaanitah Hunter

On March 12, Parliament failed to approve the R1.3-trillion government budget because MPs who attended the sitting did not form the necessary quorum for the vote. That budget – tabled by Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene in February – was only passed five days later, on ...

By Mosotho Moepya

Over the past few months, we have witnessed a resurgence of debate and discussion about the appropriateness of SA’s electoral system. Commentators, academics and politicians have asked whether the proportional representation system is relevant, effective and appropriate 20 years into our democracy.

Those questioning the effectiveness of ...

By Tim Cohen

The more I hear about it, the more I’m intrigued by the notion of valence politics. The issue came up acutely in the UK election, but it is of course applicable everywhere, and is increasingly relevant in SA too.

Valence politics is sometimes called competence politics. It ...

By Steven Friedman

If you want to know why the African National Congress (ANC) will do better in next year’s local government elections than we are told, look at last week’s British elections. They will also tell you why those who call for changes to our electoral system may be ...

By Nolundi Luwaya

Earlier attempts to introduce a legal system that empowered chiefs to administer justice were fiercely opposed as provisions of the Traditional Courts Bill were deemed unconstitutional. Now a revised bill addressing rural issues is in the pipeline, writes Nolundi Luwaya.

Cape Town - The government is preparing ...

A high court ruling highlights how Parliament's presiding officers fail to act impartially.

The Economic Freedom Fighters might assail the Constitution as they promote their populist rhetoric but, like the Democratic Alliance, they have also become regular litigators who find success in court against the ruling party.

Last week EFF ...

It is common cause that Parliament has become increasingly dysfunctional in recent years, but the media focus has tended to be on high-profile events such as the disruptive activities of the Economic Freedom Fighters, censorship of media coverage, railroading by the African National Congress (ANC) and walkouts by the Democratic ...

By Raymond Suttner

This was initially prepared on the eve of the opening of parliament’s 2015 session. At the time, our consciousness had been bombarded with phrases like ‘paralysis of parliament’ a ‘disgraceful moment in South African democracy’ and the need to restore the ‘dignity’ or ‘decorum’ of parliament. These ...

By Rebecca Davis

Tuesday’s motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma was not the first that he has easily weathered. The first was as far back as 2010, while an attempt by opposition parties to bring a second in late 2012 came to naught. Tuesday’s motion was batted away ...