Undamaged Reputations? Implications for the South African Criminal Justice System of the Allegations Against and Prosecution of Jacob Zuma

In the build-up to the ANC's December 2007 conference, where Zuma was seen by some ANC members as the most suitable and favoured candidate for the presidency of the ANC and, by implication, the country, the handling of matters relating to this drawn-out political-legal saga by elements of the criminal justice system, continued to be of central political importance. In this context, where the criminal justice system is in effect a key political role-player, this paper seeks to reflect on the issues raised in relation to the principles — such as those of equality before the law, and independence — that are supposed to guide the criminal justice system in the performance of its functions.