The latest casualty in former president Jacob Zuma’s long rampage to kleptocracy is John Hlophe, who now faces old age without the substantial lifelong salary, medical aid and state vehicle that judges usually get.
Graphic: Jocelyn Adamson. From left: Former president Jacob Zuma. | Fired SARS commissioner Tom Moyane. | Impeached former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane. | Impeached former Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe. | Former State Security minister David Mahlobo. | Former police commissioner Khehla Sitole. | Jacob Zuma's ex-fiancée Nonkanyiso Conco. | Delinquent director for life and disgraced former SAA chairperson Dudu Myeni.
And all this because he tried to influence two Constitutional Court justices in 2008 in a corruption and fraud case related to Zuma. As for the good guys, the whistle-blowers who were targeted by Zuma’s minions, some had their lives abruptly and brutally terminated, others remain in hiding, though a few have slowly begun to rebuild their lives.
Mpumalanga strongman and former deputy president David Mabuza, who switched sides from supporting Zuma to batting for victor Cyril Ramaphosa in 2017, resigned in 2023. “The Cat”, as he called himself for his ability to survive attacks by his opponents, is known as an agile manipulator of the law. Both Hlophe and Mkhwebane, and their tragic legacies, are now for the history books on how a middle-aged democracy was almost collapsed through their collusion.
But almost from the get-go, Hlophe brought emotionally driven political theatre to his leadership and became embroiled in myriad legal challenges. He has been accused of assault, both verbal and physical, of colleagues in the key division he headed. Advocate Dali Mpofu has played a key role in representing Zuma and Mkhwebane, and has driven the judiciary to issue a directive that waffling, gaslighting as well as improvised riffing, in future, would not be allowed in court. Mpofu also complained that his R13-million legal bill to the Public Protector was “peanuts” considering his weight and expertise, mostly in the Stalingrad defence method.
Prosecutors Menzi Simelane, Nomgcobo Jiba, Lawrence Mrwebi, Ron Mncwabe, Raymond Mathenjwa, Sello Maema , Marshall Mokgatle , Anthony Mosing , Mahlubi Ntlakaza , Moipone Noko and Shaun Abrahams all took a fall. Abrahams, another Zuma peak State Capture appointee to head the NPA, recently found himself appearing in Lesotho in a high-profile case, but the country’s Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane has barred him from further participation because of his courtroom behaviour.
Former South African Airways director and Zuma enabler Dudu Myeni has been declared a delinquent director and was fined R120,000 for disclosing the identity of a witness at the Zondo Commission. The country’s former fourth first lady, who married Msholozi in 2008, was accused of poisoning her husband, an accusation dismissed by the NPA, which declined to prosecute her because of a lack of evidence.
She now enjoys a career as a star on The Real Housewives of Durban and styles herself on X as “a woman of Purpose and Vision”, a “Social Entrepreneur”, as well as “Founder and CEO” of a cosmetic and clothing range.Refusing to accept election results in a country with a free press, opposition parties, legislation to protect the integrity of voting and a vocal civil society is the first refuge of the scoundrel.
The poverty and misery that surrounds them are just the spoils of war, the casualties in the race to the top of the cash pile.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former President Jacob Zuma Warns Against Corruption in His PartyFormer president Jacob Zuma warns his party members against corruption and criticizes those who defected from ANC for bringing a corrupt habit to his party.
Read more »
ICYMI: The rebirth of Jacob Zuma’s plan to ‘exile teen parents’ to Robben IslandFormer president Jacob Zuma's outlandish plan to exile teen parents resurfaced at a MK party rally in KZN over the weekend.
Read more »
ANC Member Expelled for Joining Jacob Zuma's Splinter PartyPietermaritzburg-based ANC member Mervyn Dirks has been expelled from the party for aligning himself with former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
Read more »
Former President Jacob Zuma's Party Faces Controversy Over Views on Teenage Pregnancies and Gay MarriageNew information has emerged about the policies and personalities of uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK), the party led by former president Jacob Zuma. Zuma has expressed controversial views on teenage pregnancies and gay marriage. The party's spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, has confirmed his relation to former SA Revenue Service commissioner Tom Moyane.
Read more »
Jacob Zuma's MK Party Threatens Violence if Demands Are Not MetJacob Zuma's uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party is making escalating threats of violence if it does not get its way at the polls. Other parties are also accused of intimidation and thuggery. The IEC's silence on the matter is questioned.
Read more »