A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF SOUTH AFRICA

The march of events in South Africa this week has left me scratching for at least one positive development. 

It was a painstaking search, but inspired by Mathew's, "seek and ye shall find".  I was rewarded for my efforts:  a reference on the bottom corner of page 4 of a daily newspaper entitled "Bashir: State's 'disgrace'.  The Supreme Court of Appeal in dismissing the state's appeal castigated the state and its counsel for "disgraceful conduct".  

It remains to be seen if the state will perpetuate it's disgraceful conduct by filing a frivolous appeal to the Constitutional Court.  Knowing the National Prosecuting Authority's proclivity for stupidity it would be no surprise. 

The decision affirmed the unlawfulness of the government's failure to arrest Bashir. What happens now?  In a democratic state vested in rule of law principles contempt of court proceedings should be initiated against those responsible for allowing Bashir to flee the country.  Who would prosecute those individuals?  None other than the National Prosecuting Authority - the very agency that defended  the government in allowing Bashir to flee the country.  If there are any punitive measures to be taken against the parties responsible it would likely be an ambassadorial appointment to some forsaken and unpronounceable country abroad. 

As to the myriad of negative developments this week, Guptagate, Gordhan/Hawks, Moody's Investor Services, etc., my imaginary therapist has counseled me to withhold commentary.  Her reasoning is sound as it would obliterate the optimism derived from the one and only positive development this week.