Since populist factions claim to be the people, judges confronting them do not just decide against the people; they are against the people.

The judiciary faces a barrage of attacks not just from the ruling ANC but from other political parties clamouring for power.

There comes a predictable phase in the cycle of politics where this is most likely to occur. Dan Mafora provides much-needed insight.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dan Mafora is a lawyer and a commentator on South African law with a focus on constitutional law. He works in advocacy and public interest litigation. He previously worked for the Constitutional Court of South Africa. He writes about law, philosophy, politics, writing, literature, and the relationships between them. He teaches and studies constitutional law and theory. He lives in Cape Town.

'Capture in the Court: In Defence of Judges and the Constitution' is published by Tafelberg, an imprint of NB Publishers