2011 provoked and retaliated with knock-out punches
THE year 2011 will go down as a year in which justice was provoked many times and retaliated with some heavy knockout punches.
Characters as diverse as Interpol head and once feared top cop Jackie Selebi to the beleaguered hip-hop star Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye felt the sting of the mighty arm of the law.
The two frequented the court more than a priest his church, but their cases did not start this year.
The former police chief went to the court this year to appeal his sentence for corruption and the end result saw him in hospital.
He collapsed when he learnt that the Supreme Court of Appeal had dismissed his appeal.
Selebi was found guilty of accepting bribes from drug trafficker Glen Agliotti and sentenced to 15 years in jail. He is still in hospital under correctional supervision.
But if there was a trophy for dramatic ends to cases, Selebi would have been given a run for his money by Ndikhokhele hitmaker Jub Jub, who stands charged with multiple murder.
Jub Jub collapsed and wept in the witness box during his trial.
His case started last year after he allegedly knocked down and killed school children in Mdlalose street in Protea, Soweto.
His prolonged trial saw him running out of cash to pay his lawyer Ike Motloung. His case was postponed until later this year.
But suspended ANCYL president Julius Malema stole the limelight during his court appearance for hate speech at the Johannesburg Equality Court early this year.
His much publicised hearing was believed to be the reason he gained popularity, leading to his re-election as the league's president.
Malema was found guilty of hate speech by the South Gauteng High Court in September after Afrikaner lobby group AfriForum took him to court for singing the song Shoot the Boer.
He appealed the ruling. A month later ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu also appeared in court for similar charges following an SMS exchange with a journalist from Independent Newspapers in May last year.
Shivambu allegedly labelled former Independent Newspapers political reporter Carien du Plessis a "white bitch" and "stupid". His case was also postponed.
Another former ANCYL spokesperson Zizi Kodwa is involved in a legal battle with the police after he was nabbed for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. After his blood results allegedly pronounced him sober, he filed a letter of demand.
A story that made international headlines was that of the arrest of Nolubabalo Nobanda in Thailand, who was bust with 1,5kg cocaine in her dreadlocks.
Her arrest came a day after another South African woman, Janice Linden, was executed in China for drug smuggling.
In January this year MEC for sport, arts, culture and recreation in the Free State Dan Kgothule escaped a prison term when he parted ways with R20000 after he was caught speeding at 235Km/h on the N1 highway.
Northern Cape ANC chairperson John Block was charged with fraud and corruption.
The ANC Northern Cape leader continued to hog newspaper headlines after appearing at the Kimberley Magistrate's Court in connection with alleged tender fraud estimated to be at R112m.
Other politicians appeared in court on tender fraud charges, including MEC for Economic Development in KZN Mike Mabuyakhulu and speaker of the KZN provincial government Peggy Nkonyeni.
Minister of State Security Siyabonga Cwele's wife Sheryl Cwele and Frank Nabolisa were on trial for drug trafficking.
Former football star Jabu Mahlangu and Vuyo Oscar Mgudlwa, popularly known as Madluphuthu, were arrested for alleged possession of stolen vehicles.
They were later acquitted.
Former Ekurhuleni Metro police chief Robert McBride was sentenced to five years for drunken driving and one year for defeating the ends of justice.
Former Blue Bulls rugby player Jacobus "Bees" Roux must thank his ancestors for escaping jail with a fine of R700000 for murder.
Orlando Pirates midfielder Andile Jali and Ndumiso Mabena were arrested and appeared in court for for assault and theft.
They were later acquitted.
Their colleague Innocent Mdledle was arrested for driving under the influence.
Platinum Stars players were not to be outplayed. Thuso Phala and Joseph Molangoane were also arrested for speeding on different occasions.
It was YFM DJ Mo Flava who opened the flood gates for celebrities arrests this year.
YFM breakfast show host Moeti "Mo Flava" Tsiki was nabbed and charged with reckless and negligent driving after being caught driving his navy blue Golf 6 at 191km/h in a 120km/h zone.
He later paid an admission of guilt.
- masungwinin@sundayworld.co.za
