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Politics and Governance

The Public Protector Impeachment Process: How The Enquiry Resumes
Jos Venter
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Mar 04, 2022

This brief examines the judgement of the Constitutional Court on the constitutionality of the rules adopted by the National Assembly for the removal of heads and commissioners of Chapter 9 institutions, the effect thereof on the current impeachment process of the Public Protector and it indicates what may be expected going forward.

Who decides on Vaccine Mandates?
Christopher Fisher
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Feb 07, 2022

This brief reviews the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States of America in National Federation of Independent Business et al v Department of Labour, OSHA and argues that it is able to usefully inform debates about vaccine / testing mandates in South Africa.

Redefining Politics And How We Think About It
Chelsea Ramsden
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Dec 02, 2021

This brief discusses politics of old and new and attempts to draw attention to the relationship between the government and the people. This brief is derived from discussions held, and ideas shared, at a conference hosted by the Goedgedacht Forum titled “COVID-19 Kindness: How Should We Do Politics Differently in South Africa?”

Gangster State
Matthew Kruger
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Nov 29, 2021

When public life is structured by Family Meetings and threats of systematic economic and social exclusion, Matthew Kruger argues, we live in a gangster state.

The Forthcoming Municipal Elections - Against The Background Of Local Government Disorder
Sophie Smit
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Oct 26, 2021

The current state of local government in South Africa is in a dire state and communities and local businesses are bearing the brunt of failing service delivery and accountability. These individuals have tried different avenues to enforce the constitutional obligations of their municipalities with little to no success encountered at each turn. With the municipal elections now before us, this brief concludes that voting is the best tool that South Africans have in holding their administrations to account.

Beyond CR17 - Problems With The Executive Members’ Ethics Act And The Executive Ethics Code
Zeenat Emmamally
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Oct 21, 2021

This is the last in a three-brief series. The first brief dealt with the relationship between donations towards campaigns within political parties and the Executive Ethics Code. The second brief discussed the reasons for disclosure of these donations. This brief considers problems with the Executive Members’ Ethics Act and the Executive Ethics Code.

What CR17 Teaches Us - The Need To Know Who Donates To Politicians’ Internal Party Campaigns
Zeenat Emmamally
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Oct 21, 2021

This is the second in a three-brief series. The first brief dealt with the relationship between donations towards campaigns within political parties and the Executive Ethics Code. This brief will discuss the reasons for disclosure of these donations. The third will consider problems with the Executive Members’ Ethics Act and the Executive Ethics Code.

Laying The Groundwork - CR17 And The Challenge To The Executive Ethics Code
Zeenat Emmamally
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Oct 21, 2021

This is the first in a three-brief series and it deals with the relationship between donations towards campaigns within political parties and the Executive Ethics Code. The second brief will discuss the reasons the disclosure of these donations is essential and the third will consider problems with the Executive Members’ Ethics Act and the Executive Ethics Code.

Legislatures in Lockdown
Christopher Fisher
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Sep 28, 2021

This brief argues in support of proposed amendments to the Disaster Management Act, which hold the potential to bring states of disaster under legislative supervision.

To postpone, or not to postpone? That is the question.
Chelsea Ramsden
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Aug 20, 2021

This brief will consider the pertinent question: What are the issues that the Constitutional Court will have to decide at the hearing of the Electoral Commission of South Africa v Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Others?

Amending Section 25 of the Constitution to include expropriation without compensation - the latest developments, and reflections of a more general nature on the implementation of Government policies
Anton van Dalsen
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Jun 09, 2021

This brief looks at the latest developments in the process to amend Section 25 of the Constitution, specifically regarding expropriation without compensation. Against the background of land reform requirements, it then goes on to reflect on the implications of insufficient institutional capacity within Government to implement large complex projects.

Understanding Cronyism
Zeenat Emmamally
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Apr 21, 2021

This brief examines cronyism as a subtype of corruption, and argues, using the executive ethics code as an example, that frameworks do not adequately safeguard against cronyism.

The Silence of the Constitutionalists
Matthew Kruger
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Mar 26, 2021

In this brief, Matthew Kruger reflects on the suspension of democratic power and subordination of transformative goals during the last year of lockdown. After touching on the failures of our major political parties, Parliament and the media to comprehend or resist this reality, he turns his attention to civil society. In the face of this 365-day deferral of the Constitution, why have so many of our NGOs and lawyers kept silent?

Whom The Gods Would Destroy They First Make Mad
Charles Simkins
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Mar 24, 2021

How to achieve redistribution with growth in a period of economic decline is difficult and the beginning of wisdom is to avoid actions which make things worse rather than better. The purpose of this brief is to identify some of them.

Service Delivery in South Africa at a Glance
Chelsea Ramsden
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Mar 17, 2021

Against the backdrop of recent discussions on service delivery in the Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality this brief will examine current reactions to service delivery failures and possible actions that aggrieved residents may take.

Alternative Proposals For Electing Constituency Representatives In A Mixed System
Charles Simkins
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Mar 09, 2021

This brief considers three proposals on the table for a mixed member proportional (MMP) electoral system for consideration by the National Assembly’s Home Affairs Portfolio Committee, and makes the point that advocacy of an MMP system does not, in itself, settle all the details which will needed to be considered in the process of electoral reform.

Third Quarter Production And Employment Statistics - Some Puzzles
Charles Simkins
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Jan 14, 2021

This is the final Brief in the series with all the statistical information about production and employment in the third quarter having now been published. This Brief focuses on puzzles which arise when all the sources are considered together.

The Era of Pandemics: Tomorrow's Forever Wars
Matthew Kruger
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Dec 09, 2020

We are now more than 250 days into our 21-day lockdown, with Ramaphosa and his Command Council claiming for themselves the power to legislate every aspect of our lives until the invisible enemy is beaten, or maybe even longer, as their rhetoric about the new normal suggests. In asserting this power in their war on the virus, they resemble another executive in a different, still-ongoing war against an equally invisible enemy: the US war on terror.

Human Settlements In The Metros
Charles Simkins
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Dec 04, 2020

This Brief discusses the Department of Human Settlements’ proposed re-orientation of its policies.

The July To September Quarterly Labour Force Survey
Charles Simkins
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Dec 03, 2020

Production in the South African economy has bounced back quite sharply since July. This Brief explores what the Quarterly Labour Force Survey tells us about employment and unemployment in the third quarter.

September Production, Rates Of Profit And Loanable Funds
Charles Simkins
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Dec 03, 2020

This Brief updates our understanding of the economy and how it has bounced back. It also considers trends in profitability since the beginning 2014, and finally discusses financial flows within the economy.

Pharmaceuticals and South Africa III - The Courts
Chris Pieters
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Nov 19, 2020

In the first brief we considered the findings in the HSF’s enquiry into the structures regarding the pricing and distribution of pharmaceuticals in South Africa. The Second brief summarised the manufacturing environment of pharmaceuticals in South Africa. We conclude the series by looking at various findings against the backdrop of a Western Cape High Court judgement.

Pharmaceuticals and South Africa II – Supply
Chris Pieters
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Nov 19, 2020

In the first Brief we considered the findings in the HSF’s enquiry into the structures regarding the pricing and distribution of pharmaceuticals in South Africa. This Brief will summarise the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in South Africa. The series will conclude by considering the various findings against the backdrop of a Western Cape High Court judgement dealing with some of the issues.

Pharmaceuticals and South Africa I - Distribution
Chris Pieters
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Nov 19, 2020

In the first Brief we consider the findings in the HSF’s enquiry into the structures regarding the pricing and distribution of pharmaceuticals in South Africa. The Second Brief will summarise the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in South Africa. The series concludes by considering the various findings against the backdrop of a Western Cape High Court judgement dealing with some of the issues.

The Political Economy Of The Economic Reconstruction And Recovery Plan
Charles Simkins
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Nov 10, 2020

The government’s economic policy cards are on the table. Government policy attempts to achieve two goals simultaneously: to ward off an impending fiscal crisis and to improve investment to the point where it can underpin a respectable rate of economic growth. Both need urgent attention. The political economy question is this: can a coalition of interests be maintained to sustain the policy for several years?

Financing Government Debt
Charles Simkins
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Nov 05, 2020

The Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, tabled in Parliament on 28 October 2020, projects that the government will need to issue above 50% more short-term and long-term domestic debt in 2020/21 than in 2019/20. In this Brief Charles Simkins considers if the targets can be met and what the macroeconomic implications of doing so would be.

How Coherent Are The 2020 Production And Labour Market Data? II - The Main Issues
Charles Simkins
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Nov 04, 2020

This brief compares production and labour market estimates from different sources. Some of the work has already been done in previous briefs and this will be referred to, with a brief summary of findings. In order not to clutter the exposition of new comparisons, supporting tables are placed in the annexure to the brief.

How Coherent Are The 2020 Production And Labour Market Data? I - The Basis For Assessment
Charles Simkins
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Nov 04, 2020

The preceding briefs in this series have drawn on a number of sources to assess the evolution of the economy during 2020. These data sources have been compiled for different purposes and to a great extent independently of one another. Yet they overlap and their findings can be compared. The questions arise: How coherent are the data from these sources? What judgements can be made after all the sources have been considered? What uncertainties and puzzles remain?

Electoral Reform And The Political System: The Helen Suzman’s Points Of Departure
Charles Simkins
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Oct 01, 2020

The first three briefs in this series establish three main points. The first is that the New Nation case requires electoral reform, the second is that electoral reform may not infringe the constitution, and the third is there are political systemic choices to be made by Parliament about the electoral system within constitutional constraints. This brief sets out the Helen Suzman Foundation’s points of departure at the level of the political system.

Electoral Reform: Are The Electoral Task Team’s “Core Values” Still Relevant?
Catherine Kruyer
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Oct 01, 2020

The Helen Suzman Foundation is producing a series of briefs on electoral reform in South Africa. Following the landmark decision of the Constitutional Court to allow independent candidates to contest national and provincial elections, this series will examine the road ahead at the policy, legislative, and institutional level. This brief, the third in our series, will reconsider the core values for an electoral system identified by the Electoral Task Team in 2003.

The April To June Quarterly Labour Force Survey: A Cautionary Note
Charles Simkins
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Sep 30, 2020

The April to June Quarterly Labour Force Survey has appeared. While the HSF commends Stats SA for finally producing it (there were two delays in publication). The HSF cautions that this survey is less reliable than its predecessors for reasons which Charles Simkins elucidates.

Electoral Reform: Constitutional Constraints On The Design Of Our Electoral System
Catherine Kruyer
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Sep 29, 2020

The Helen Suzman Foundation is producing a series of briefs on electoral reform in South Africa. Following the landmark decision of the Constitutional Court to allow independent candidates to contest national and provincial elections, this series will examine the road ahead from the policy, legislative and institutional perspectives. This brief, the second in our series, will explore the constitutional constraints on our electoral system.

Electoral Reform: Understanding the New Nation Movement case
Kimera Chetty
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Sep 29, 2020

The Helen Suzman Foundation will be producing a series of briefs on electoral reform in South Africa. Following the landmark decision of the Constitutional Court to allow independent candidates to contest national and provincial elections,this series will examine the road ahead from the policy, legislative and institutional perspectives. This brief, the first in our series, will explore the reasoning of the Court and consider the implications of the judgment.

July Production Statistics: An Indication Of A V-Shaped Recovery?
Charles Simkins and Charles Collocott
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Sep 28, 2020

Statistics South Africa publishes monthly production statistics for mining, manufacturing, electricity distributed, the five components of trade, catering and accommodation and two components of trade, storage and communication. The July 2020 estimates have now been published. Gross domestic product statistics have been published for the first two quarters of 2020. What do these estimates reveal about economic recovery since the Level 5 lock down?

The Implications Of The Second Quarter 2020 Gross Domestic Product Data
Charles Simkins
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Sep 11, 2020

Dr Simkins highlights that the StatsSA announcement on 8 September of a 51% fall in GDP is misleading in the light of a sharp, temporary shock to the economy as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. The Brief discusses information from the GDP data about the distribution of the burden of the shock. Further analysis of the distribution will become possible when the Quarterly Employment Statistics and the Quarterly Labour Force Survey are published in late October.

Austerity And A Permanent Income Shock
Charles Simkins
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Jul 15, 2020

This brief distinguishes between a policy of austerity and the fact of a permanent decline in per capita income, arguing that South Africa should adapt to a drop of real per capita income of 7 to 10% since 2014. It considers the trajectory of monetary and fiscal policy in this light.

The Adjustment Budget And Beyond
Charles Simkins
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Jun 30, 2020

Charles Simkins reviews the Supplementary Budget. A brutal affair. The Zuma legacy and misfortune have made it so.

State of Brutality - a constitutional crisis I: A Good Friday murder
Lee-Anne Germanos
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Jun 25, 2020

This brief, the first in the series, considers the circumstances leading to the death of Mr Khosa on Good Friday. The brief concludes with an overview of the reactions by government in the wake of the murder as well as the subsequent litigation.

The Constitutional Court And The Electoral Act
Charles Simkins
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Jun 23, 2020

The Constitutional Court ruling of 11 June 2020, declared the Electoral Act as unconstitutional to the extent that it requires that adult citizens may be elected to the national assembly only through their membership of political parties. This means that the Electoral Act will need to be amended and the Court has given Parliament 24 months to do so. This brief considers two possibilities as to how the Act can be amended.

Decision Making In A Time Of Uncertainty
Charles Simkins
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Jun 11, 2020

The brief considers the present state of uncertainty and how decision making is to be viewed and implemented. Charles Simkins introduces risk and uncertainty and then considers political emergencies, dictatorship and what to do with debt. The brief concludes with remarks regarding coping in the present uncertainty.

Lives and Livelihoods
Matthew Kruger
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Jun 01, 2020

In this brief, Matthew Kruger writes about the detrimental impact, on freedom and politics, of any law or policy that overemphasises risk and safety.

The Lockdown Is Unconstitutional - Part III
Matthew Kruger
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May 08, 2020

The series concludes by arguing that the purpose for and process by which the powers under the Disaster Act have been exercised are unlawful and irrational, for they are structured by a near-total, comprehensive failure by government to understand what the Constitution is all about.

The Lockdown Is Unconstitutional - Part II
Matthew Kruger
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May 08, 2020

The Disaster Management Act is the legislation through which the Minister has effected the current lockdown. In this brief, the purpose and limits of the powers afforded to the executive by the Disaster Act are considered, and it is explained that despite their exceptional nature, these powers must be interpreted and exercised consistently with the transformative vision articulated in the first brief.

The Lockdown Is Unconstitutional - Part I
Matthew Kruger
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May 08, 2020

Matthew Kruger argues that the purpose and process by which Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has locked South Africa down is unconstitutional. In this first brief, it is explained that the state, in all that it does, has a constitutional duty to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the transformative vision that suffuses the whole constitutional order.

Mental Health II - National Health Insurance
Chris Pieters
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Apr 21, 2020

Part 2 will consider the content of the National Health Insurance Bill as well as possible implications that it may have on the state of mental health care.

Mental Health I - Legal and policy framework
Chris Pieters
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Apr 21, 2020

Part 1 explores the present legal instruments designed to ensure that all those who require it will have access to mental health care. The brief further considers the political will of creating suitable access for those most in need.

The Importance Of Criticism
Matthew Kruger
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Apr 03, 2020

In this fourth brief in our coronavirus series, Research Fellow Matthew Kruger explores the importance of criticism during this time of crisis.

The Coronavirus And The Economy
Charles Simkins
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Apr 01, 2020

In this brief, Charles Simkins suggests principles to guide thinking about the relationship between the epidemic and the economy.

Legality In A State Of Disaster
Charles Simkins
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Apr 01, 2020

This brief is a companion to our recently published brief entitled ‘A guide to the duties imposed on South Africans during the lockdown’. That brief should be regarded as our Coronavirus Brief 1.

Update on the Impending Border Management Authority
Tove van Lennep
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Mar 11, 2020

After being amended at the National Council of Provinces, the Border Management Authority (BMA) Bill is one step closer to enactment. But the BMA exacerbates the problem it seeks to address: In its attempt to resolve the fragmentation of South Africa’s border management, it creates another costly level of government bureaucracy under the ailing Department of Home Affairs.

Spotlight On Accountability III: Accountability Categorised
Cherese Thakur
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Jan 23, 2020

This brief is part of a series that takes ‘accountability’ to its roots by explaining fundamental aspects of the concept, and provides a guide on how to assess accountability mechanisms for effectiveness.

Spotlight On Accountability II: Accountability Mechanisms
Cherese Thakur
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Jan 23, 2020

This brief is part of a series that takes ‘accountability’ to its roots by explaining fundamental aspects of the concept, and provides a guide on how to assess accountability mechanisms for effectiveness”

Developing water sensitive cities I: Rethinking how we manage urban water
Michelle Toxopeüs
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Oct 30, 2019

Given the current pressure on water sources, South African cities must rethink their approach to urban water management. The concept of water sensitive cities as an means of improving local water security will be explored in a three-part brief series. This brief, the first in the series, provides an overview of water sensitive settlements and its application in South Africa

Do we need a Water Use Bill?
Michelle Toxopeüs
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Oct 04, 2019

In light of a recent announcement to develop legislation dedicated to transforming the water use sector, this brief examines the current legislative and policy provisions intended to drive water use reform. It highlights the slow pace at which transformation has taken place, underscored by a lack of political will, socio-political factors and, ultimately, an inconsistency between the law and its implementation.

Strengthening institutional capacity in water resources management to enhance performance
Michelle Toxopeüs
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Oct 01, 2019

Given its current financial and operational challenges, the Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation is struggling to fulfil its obligations. The legislative framework allows the Department to establish regional institutions to assist it in managing water resources. These institutions are underdeveloped, under capacitated and underutilised.

Migration IV: The state of South Africa’s borders
Tove van Lennep
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Sep 18, 2019

South Africa’s borders require serious attention to counter irregular migration, illicit trade and incumbered movement. The Department of Home Affairs’ intended solutions are deficient.

The Parliamentary Support Structure
Lee-Anne Germanos
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Aug 29, 2019

Parliament has an entire support structure comprising of two supporting offices, two branches and an administration. The employees of the support structure are the workhorses of Parliament. A report of the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament for the 2017/18 financial year revealed strained labour relations in the parliamentary support structure which have manifested themselves in increased litigation by Parliament against its employees. Add to that the protest suicide of a senior parliamentary manager, and the report’s finding that the work environment and conditions were unpleasant, and it becomes clear that all is not well in the parliamentary support structure.

Deepening Democracy Brief: Parliamentary Accountability
Anton van Dalsen & Lee-Anne Germanos
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Aug 29, 2019

This brief discusses Parliament’s oversight duty (over, among others, organs of state) and Parliament’s accountability mechanism – the electorate. It briefly discusses the need for electoral reform in order to achieve better accountability for MPs.

Municipalities II: Assessing mechanisms of municipal oversight
Michelle Toxopeüs
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Jul 16, 2019

This brief series explores three institutional arrangements that influence municipal functioning. Part I evaluates executive authority in municipalities; Part II assesses mechanisms of municipal oversight; and Part III examines the legal framework for provincial intervention in local government.

Municipalities I: Evaluating executive authority in municipalities
Michelle Toxopeüs
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Jul 16, 2019

This brief series explores three institutional arrangements that influence municipal functioning. Part I evaluates executive authority in municipalities; Part II assesses mechanisms of municipal oversight; and Part III examines the legal framework for provincial intervention in local government.

Deepening Democracy: Petitions - What are they and how do they work?
Kimera Chetty
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May 22, 2019

The Sixth Parliament officially sits on 22 May 2019, and sets in motion renewed opportunities to engage our public representatives and hold them accountable to their Constitutional mandate. The HSF will consider these questions through a series of briefs exploring how to deepen our democracy. This brief explains what petitions are, and how to use them.

The 2019 Election
Charles Simkins
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Mar 25, 2019

The Helen Suzman Foundation is a non-partisan organization seeking to promote constitutional democracy. This means that we shall not comment on party political policies or election activities.

The Election Timetable
Charles Simkins
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Mar 07, 2019

The Electoral Commission published the election timetable on 28 February. This brief sets out its main features and makes some suggestions.

Understanding water issues and challenges IV: Water infrastructure assessment
Michelle Toxopeüs
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Feb 06, 2019

The condition of water resource and supply infrastructure influences government’s ability to perform the functions prescribed by the National Water Act and the Water Services Act. This brief discusses the expert assessment of water infrastructure in South Africa and highlights key challenges to effectively managing it.

Understanding water issues and challenges III: Water boards and bulk water services
Michelle Toxopeüs
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Feb 06, 2019

Water boards are instrumental in providing bulk water services across the country. But failing governance, financial mismanagement and unpaid debt are severely hindering their ability to perform their functions effectively. These challenges, and the influence of municipal and departmental governance on the functioning of water boards, are discussed in this brief.

The state of sanitation and wastewater treatment services in South Africa
Michelle Toxopeüs
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Feb 05, 2019

Effective sanitation services contribute significantly to reducing health risks and protecting the environment. But accessing safe and dignified sanitation facilities has been a long-standing problem for many South Africans. This brief positions the duty to provide sanitation and wastewater treatment services in the context of water services generally, and evaluates the current condition of these services.

The institutional structure for delivering water services
Michelle Toxopeüs
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Feb 05, 2019

The Constitution affords everyone the right to access sufficient water. One way in which the Water Services Act gives effect to this right is by establishing the institutional framework necessary to ensure water services are delivered. This brief sets out the institutional structure established by the Act, and provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities designated to each institution.

The institutional structure of water resource management
Michelle Toxopeüs
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Feb 05, 2019

In an effort to effectively manage South Africa’s water resources, the National Water Act makes provision for establishing water institutions that aim to promote equitable and sustainable use of water. This brief sets out the institutional structure to manage South Africa’s water resources, and provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities assigned to each institution.

Should The National Development Plan Be Revised?
Charles Simkins
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Feb 05, 2019

National Development Plans are revised periodically, often at five year intervals. Although our 'National Development Plan 2030' (NDP) was launched in 2012, it has not been revised. This brief shows that the illusion that the goals of the NDP are achievable cannot be sustained for a minute. A rethink is due.

China’s Loans to South Africa - Brief V
Charles Collocott
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Jan 24, 2019

This is the final brief in a series of five that takes a look at South Africa’s recent loans from China; it looks at why the BRICS Bank was not used, on what basis government is able to refuse disclosing further information on the loans, and finishes with a conclusion for the series.

China’s Loans to South Africa - Brief IV
Charles Collocott
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Jan 24, 2019

This is the fourth brief in a series of five that takes a look at South Africa’s recent loans from China; it is a summary of the lessons learned from the experiences of the six countries analysed, which have also taken on Chinese debt.

China’s Loans to South Africa - Brief III
Charles Collocott
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Jan 22, 2019

This is the third brief in a series of five that takes a look at South Africa’s recent loans from China; it looks at the experiences other countries have had with Chinese debt, namely Zambia, Kenya and Ethiopia.

China’s Loans to South Africa - Brief II
Charles Collocott
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Jan 22, 2019

This is the second brief in a series of five that takes a look at South Africa’s recent loans from China; it looks at the experiences other countries have had with Chinese debt, namely Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Argentina.

China’s Loans to South Africa - Brief I
Charles Collocott
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Jan 22, 2019

This is the first brief in a series of five that takes a look at South Africa’s recent loans from China. This brief is an overview of South Africa’s debt situation, how the loans from China fit into this, and why we need to look at the experiences other countries have had with Chinese debt.

Zimbabwe II - Politics
Charles Simkins
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Jan 09, 2018

The first brief in this series outlined key demographic and economic conditions and dynamics. This brief considers their political implications.

Political Party Funding VII - The Treasury Bombshell
Charles Simkins
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Sep 12, 2017

This brief outlines the presentation by the National Treasury on 1 September 2017 to the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties and considers its implications.

Political Party Funding VI - Civil Society Submissions
Rafael Friedman
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Sep 07, 2017

This is the final brief of a six part series. The first provided a background to the current debate on political party funding. The second brief dealt with the legal position, and the third suggested a framework within which law might develop. The fourth dealt with international experience. This brief deals with submissions made to Parliament by civil society organisations, following on from the fifth brief which looked at political parties’ submissions.

Political Party Funding V - Political Party Submissions
Rafael Friedman
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Sep 07, 2017

This is the fifth brief of a six part series. The first provided a background to the current debate on political party funding. The second brief dealt with the legal position, and the third suggested a framework within which law might develop.

POLITICAL PARTY FUNDING IV - THE GLOBAL PICTURE
Rafael Friedman
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Aug 31, 2017

This is the fourth part of a six brief series. The first provided a background to the current debate on political party funding, the second described with the legal position and the third suggested a framework within which law might develop. This brief deals with international experience. The fifth will deal with submissions made to Parliament by political parties and the sixth with submissions made by civil society organisations.

POLITICAL PARTY FUNDING III - THE IMPLICATIONS WHICH FOLLOW FROM OUR LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Ryan Holtes
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Aug 31, 2017

This is the third part of a six brief series. The first provided a background to the current debate on political party funding, and the second dealt with the legal position. This brief suggests a framework within which law might develop. The fourth deals with international experience. The fifth will deal with submissions made to Parliament by political parties and the sixth with submissions made by civil society organisations.

POLITICAL PARTY FUNDING II -THE LEGAL BACKGROUND
Ryan Holtes
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Aug 24, 2017

This is the second brief of a six part series. The first part provides a background to the current debate on political party funding. This brief deals with the legal position, and the third suggests a framework within which law might develop. The fourth deals with international experience. The fifth will deal with submissions made to Parliament by political parties and the sixth with submissions made by civil society organisations.

POLITICAL PARTY FUNDING I - HISTORY AND THE CURRENT POSITION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Rafael Friedman
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Aug 24, 2017

This is the first brief of a six part series. It provides a background to the current debate on political party funding. The second brief deals with the legal position, and the third suggests a framework within which law might develop. The fourth deals with international experience. The fifth will deal with submissions made to Parliament by political parties and the sixth with submissions made by civil society organisations.

ARE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SERVICES IN CHARGE OF SOUTH AFRICA?
Charles Simkins
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Jun 01, 2017

In an increasingly fractious political environment, the ANC’s draft policy document on Peace and Stability includes bold claims about interference from foreign intelligence services in domestic South African politics. In addition, the document labels a wide range of groups as accomplices in this plot. This brief, by Charles Simkins, takes issue with this characterisation and looks at why these accusations are concerning for South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

UNDERSTANDING THE ANC'S POLICY FORMULATION PROCESS
Anele Mtwesi
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Jun 01, 2017

This brief deals with the way in which ANC policy is developed. Further briefs will consider the substance of recently released draft policy documents for the June National Policy Conference.

TREASON IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Rafael Friedman
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Jun 01, 2017

Over the past few years allegations of treason have become more regular in South Africa. While there has only been one major treason case in the 23 years since the end of Apartheid, there have recently been a number of accusations of treason levelled against a variety of individuals, ranging from student activists to senior politicians. These allegations can be seen in the context of the implementation of treason law in southern Africa, with a number of pending treason cases in other countries that have been seen as politically motivated.

Do state-owned enterprises pose a threat to Government’s finances?
Charles Collocott
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Mar 09, 2017

As a result of the publicity which several state-owned enterprises have enjoyed recently, especially from a governance and finance perspective, the logical question is to what degree they pose a real danger to the health of the State’s finances. This brief by Charles Collocott is based on the detailed Budget Review, as published by National Treasury on the date of the budget speech on 22 February 2017.

ACSA cleans up its act but is Government interfering?
Anton van Dalsen
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Feb 16, 2017

This brief sketches the background to attempts by the ACSA Board to address alleged fraud and corruption - and in reaction, the Minister of Transport attempts to fire almost half the Board.

IN DEFENCE OF PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION
Charles Simkins
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Sep 20, 2016

This brief looks at the electoral task team report and its relevance with regards to the outcomes of the latest local government elections.

Golden Handshakes
Anele Mtwesi
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Sep 20, 2016

This brief looks at the extent of golden handshakes in the public sector and legislation governing financial misconduct.

POPULISM
Charles Simkins
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Jun 28, 2016

This Brief is the first in a two part series and this Brief discusses populism.

Governing the people: the slide into totalitarianism
Matthew Kruger and Francis Antonie
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Nov 12, 2015

The recent statement by President Zuma that the ANC, not the country, comes first is not just, or only, an ordinary political assertion that the ANC is best suited to govern the people. It is also a conceptual claim that without the ANC there cannot ‘be’ a country; it is a claim that rests on foundations that are essentially totalitarian in nature.

THE NORMATIVE AND PREROGATIVE STATE
Charles Simkins
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Nov 11, 2015

In a land mark study of government in the Third Reich[1] , Ernst Fraenkel distinguished between the normative and positive state. His thesis has been given crisp expression as follows by Richard Evans:

THE GOD THAT FAILED
Charles Simkins
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Nov 11, 2015

The God That Failed was published in 1949. Edited by Richard Crossman, who was later to become a cabinet minister in Labour governments in the United Kingdom, it contained six essays by well-known figures of the time. Three (Arthur Koestler, Ignazio Silone and Richard Wright) were dubbed as the initiates, because they had been members of Communist parties for some time and the other three (Andre Gide, Louis Fischer and Stephen Spender) were ‘worshipers from afar’, because either they were never members or members only for a brief period.

The 2016 Local Government Elections and the Metros - Part III: Swings and Roundabouts
Charles Simkins
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Jul 02, 2015

The second Brief set out the allocation of seats to metros and produced a baseline projection of the outcome of the 2016 local government election based on the 2014 national election party support pattern. This Brief considers the quantitative projections of the elections and the qualitative observations on parties' performances therein.

All’s fair in love and golden handshakes
Joshua Hovsha
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Jun 10, 2015

This brief looks at the 'golden handshake' taken by the former National Prosecuting Authority Head, Mxolisi Nxasana and discusses the pattern of 'golden handshakes'.

The Speaker’s Role in the South African Parliament
Anele Mtwesi
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Mar 26, 2015

This brief seeks to shed light on the role the Speaker ought to play in the South African Parliament. It should not be read as an attempt to discuss the performance of any particular Speaker.

Constitutional Democracy and Revolutionary Talk
Charles Simkins
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Mar 10, 2015

One can support a constitutional democracy on the grounds that it is a better form of government than any other. One can be a revolutionary, dissatisfied with the existing political order and wanting to overthrow it in favour of an envisaged better alternative. But to claim to be a constitutional democrat and a revolutionary at the same time – now that is odd. Yet, we see it constantly in contemporary South Africa. What explains the phenomenon?

Liberalism and Identity Politics II – South Africa
Charles Simkins
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Feb 19, 2015

South Africa has been a segmented society for centuries. It still is. For example, marriages across ethnic and religious lines are relatively rare. Ethnic identities were crystallised into a system of racial classification by the apartheid state. This is a context in which identity politics might have had disastrous consequences and it was often predicted that apartheid would end in a general conflagration. Despite substantial political violence in the decade before 1994, this did not happen. For the last century and a half, infectious disease has been the more important killer. Deaths from AIDS in the opening few years of this century – some of which could have been avoided by more rapid roll out of treatment - exceeded all the mortality from war and political violence since 1850.

Liberalism and Identity Politics I – Conceptual and Global Issues
Charles Simkins
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Feb 18, 2015

Globally, the Cold War era has been succeeded by both the salience of market oriented economic development and the growth of identity politics. Understanding the relationship of liberalism and identity politics is a key issue for our time globally and specifically for understanding South African politics.

Just who is undermining Parliament?
Charles Simkins
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Sep 30, 2014

"[T]he NEC noted the extent to which Parliamentary processes have descended into chaos and the unruly offensive on the ANC in Parliament, Parliament itself and on democracy in our country. Hooliganism and insult are at unprecedented levels and are unfortunately being defined as a tool of engagement. The decorum and dignity of Parliament as an institution is being dragged through the mud under the cover of the right to be robust." - Statement of the ANC National Executive Committee following meeting held 21-29 September 2014

An Assault on Parliamentary Democracy?
Kameel Premhid
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Aug 22, 2014

The recent behaviour of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and the responses to it by the African National Congress (ANC), and the Democratic Alliance (DA), is worrying and troublesome. This brief explains why their conduct bodes ill for Parliament as an institution which is vital to democracy.

South Africa’s Local Elections
Wim Louw
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May 29, 2014

With the 2014 General elections behind us, it is not too soon to start focusing on Local elections. This brief unpacks the components of South Africa's local elections.

The South African Electoral System
Wim Louw
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Mar 20, 2014

This is the first in a series of Briefs dealing with elections in South Africa. This Brief unpacks some of the main components of the South African General Elections.

Electoral Reform – What Political Parties Have To Say
Ashleigh Fraser
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Apr 25, 2013

Discussions about electoral reform in South Africa have again come to the forefront over the last few weeks. This brief succinctly discusses the attitudes of four political parties towards electoral reform and how reform may or may not effect change to accountability and representation.