HSF Briefs

Liberalism and Identity Politics I – Conceptual and Global Issues
Author: Charles Simkins
Published: 18 Feb 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.
Briefs Politics
Press Release - The Unlawful Suspension of the National Head of the Hawks
Author: Helen Suzman Foundation
Published: 23 Jan 2015
This morning judgment was handed down in the Pretoria High Court by Prinsloo J following an urgent application brought by the HSF in the wake of the suspension of the National Head of the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation ("the National Head") (“Hawks”). The HSF was of the view that this suspension was irregular, and that the Minister of Police (“Minister”) had acted unlawfully.
Crime Briefs
Suspension of the National Head of the Hawks
Author: Helen Suzman Foundation
Published: 09 Jan 2015
The HSF has approached the High Court in Pretoria to declare invalid the suspension of the National Head of the Hawks and the appointment of an Acting Head.
Crime Briefs
Ignorance of the law is no excuse: A beginner’s guide…
Author: Chris Pieters
Published: 21 Nov 2014
One consequence of the recent litigation engaged in by the HSF – involving the independence of the Hawks as well as the processes adopted in the appointment of judicial candidates – relates to a range of inquiries concerning the legal system and its processes. This Brief seeks to elucidate the legal processes that are followed.
Briefs Justice
THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT AND THE MINIMUM WAGE
Author: Charles Simkins
Published: 10 Nov 2014
The minimum wage issue has been rumbling for some time. The Parliamentary Labour Committee has started hearings on the topic. Business Day reported on 5 November that the Deputy President will chair a committee on the issue which will include six Cabinet Ministers, among them the ministers of labour, economic development and finance. NEDLAC has been given the task of producing a report on the technical aspects of its introduction by July next year.
Economy Briefs
Plus ça Change, Plus c’est la Même Chose…?
Author: Chris Pieters
Published: 13 Oct 2014
A considered view into the rights of persons in the context of South African common law over the last century, with emphasis placed on women's rights under the various systems.
Briefs Social Justice
The Case for Retaining the Cutoff Date for Land Restitution Claims (Section 25 (7) of the Constitution)
Author: Charles Simkins
Published: 07 Oct 2014
Section 25 (7) of the Constitution established the right of individuals and communities who were deprived of property after 19 June 1913, as a result of past racial laws, to either restitution of their property or equitable redress. It is now being debated whether the cutoff date is appropriate or whether it was a compromise made in 1994 which should now be rescinded if sufficient support can be found in Parliament. At present, the ANC would need the co-operation of other parties to muster two thirds of the votes necessary for a constitutional amendment. The EFF has already promised to make its supporters available for such a move.
Briefs Land