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Organization

Constitutionally Speaking

Constitutionally Speaking is a publisher that focuses on constitutional law and related political issues, often discussing South African governance, legal challenges, and social justice topics. The content includes analysis of constitutional court cases, government policies, and political developments, with attention to the implications for democracy, rule of law, and human rights. The publisher addresses complex legal and political matters such as coalition government dynamics, legislative acts, and public protests, often with a critical perspective on governance and societal issues. The blog engages with debates on constitutional interpretation, legal principles, and the impact of political decisions on society.

10 published works

  1. Constitutionally Speaking

    A story about D, his mother S, and the dehumanising denialism of genocide apologists

    By Pierre De Vos

    When a long-ago friend angrily lashed out at me on social media for posting an announcement of an anti-genocide protest march, what surprised me most was the utter unoriginality and…

  2. Constitutionally Speaking

    On decadent elites: Why do the work when you can just have a National Dialogue?

    By Pierre De Vos

    It is difficult not to conclude that the National Dialogue is an idiotic and self-indulgent scheme cooked up by decadent elites untethered from reality, or at least greedy to share…

  3. Constitutionally Speaking

    MK party’s ConCourt challenge to Mchunu’s removal raises important constitutional law issues

    By Pierre De Vos

    Any invalidation further down the line of Prof Firoz Cachalia’s appointment as acting police minister would also render his decisions invalid. Things could get messy. The muted public response to…

  4. Constitutionally Speaking

    Budget postponement brings into sharp focus SA’s new coalition reality

    By Pierre De Vos

    The postponement of the Budget was, on balance, a positive sign. It suggests a moderate degree of pragmatism among the major players that is surprising, given how radically different the…

  5. Constitutionally Speaking

    On the alarmist, misleading, and anti-constitutional claims made by critics of the Expropriation Act

    By Pierre De Vos

    It should be possible for citizens with radically different political views to have constructive discussions about the merits of the Expropriation Act. But this becomes difficult when criticisms are not…

  6. Constitutionally Speaking

    Why (almost) everything I learnt on social media about the Buffelsfontein tragedy turned out to be wrong

    By Pierre De Vos

    The SAPS’ operation Vala Umgodi which led to more than a 100 miners starving to death in shaft 10 and 11 at the Buffelsfontein mine required the complete erasure of…

  7. Constitutionally Speaking

    Court cases against UCT and Maties are emblematic of the ‘Mpofu-fication’ of SA universities

    By Pierre De Vos

    Even when the legal arguments in such lawfare cases are weak or absurd, the litigation itself can be of value to litigants who seek to utilise the court hearings to…

  8. Constitutionally Speaking

    Constitutional Court woes must be top of Chief Justice Mandisa Maya’s agenda

    By Pierre De Vos

    It is impossible to ignore recent examples of truly woeful judgments emanating from the Constitutional Court. Two recent judgments dealing with equality law illustrate this point. The appointment of Justice…

  9. Constitutionally Speaking

    Concerted effort needed from legal profession to fix ‘incompetent’ Legal Practice Council

    By Pierre De Vos

    Two recent high court judgments, as well as revelations about the politicisation of its disciplinary processes, suggest the Legal Practice Council is not currently serving the best interests of the…

  10. Constitutionally Speaking

    Sharp rise in number of people shot dead by KZN cops is cause for serious concern

    By Pierre De Vos

    Police officers whose lives are endangered have the right to respond appropriately to protect themselves. But this does not justify the random killing of civilians who may or may not…