https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/423 2026-05-06T10:54:13Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32399 The independence of the judiciary and its role in safeguarding the rule of law and constitutionalism in South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda Mukono, Dennis Edwin The rule of law and constitutionalism are the pillars that support constitutional democracies. It is the judiciary that ensures that the rule of law and constitutionalism remain intact. For the judiciary to do so, it must be independent, therefore the role that an independent judiciary plays cannot be overemphasised. This dissertation examines the independence of the judiciary and its critical role in safeguarding the rule of law and constitutionalism in three selected countries: South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda. The study aims to understand how judicial independence varies in different political and legal contexts and its impact on the upholding of democratic principles. This study also looks at the varying levels of judicial independence of the chosen countries. With its 1996 constitution hailed as one of the most progressive documents, South Africa represents a well-established democracy with a stable legal framework and strong institutions ensuring judicial independence. The study examines how the judiciary in South Africa has been a key pivot of its constitutional democracy in upholding democratic principles, protecting human rights, and ensuring checks and balances within the government. The legacy left by the colonizers in Kenya, particularly when it came to the judiciary, was very poor. They left a weak judiciary, and the post-independence leaders did not do much to change the status quo. The promulgation of the 2010 Kenyan constitution was welcomed and timely. It reduced arbitrariness in governance and established an independent judiciary. This research focuses on some successes and challenges of Kenya's judiciary in maintaining and upholding the rule of law despite political pressures. Uganda offers a contrasting perspective with its judiciary operating in an environment where there are several challenges that include authoritarian tendencies, the shrinking of political and civic spaces, and the ongoing frustration of the judiciary to achieve full judicial independence. The study investigates the judiciary's efforts to uphold constitutionalism and the rule of law amidst executive interference and systemic challenges. This research highlights the effect that the constitutions of the featured countries have on their respective judiciaries. The study focuses on a number of factors, including models of funding, the effect of politics and ideology on the judiciary, transformative constitutionalism, etc. The study also explores the mechanisms implemented to strengthen judicial independence and its effectiveness in promoting justice and accountability. The research provides insights into the critical role of an independent judiciary in maintaining the balance of power, protecting human rights, and maintaining democratic stability. The findings underscore the need for continuous efforts to maintain judicial independence as a means of ensuring the rule of law and upholding constitutional governance in South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda.; Utawala wa sheria na Ukatiba ndio nguzo ambazo demokrasia ya kikatiba inaegemea. Mahakama inajukumu la kuhahakikisha kwamba utawala wa sheria na ukatiba vinadumu. Ili mahakama iweze kufanya hivyo, ni lazima iwe huru, hivyo basi, jukumu ambalo mahakama huru inatekeleza ni la muhimu sana. Tasnifu hii inachunguza uhuru wa mahakama na jukumu lake muhimu katika kulinda utawala wa sheria na ukatiba katika nchi tatu zilizochaguliwa: Afrika Kusini, Kenya na Uganda. Utafiti huu unalenga kuelewa jinsi uhuru wa mahakama unavyotofautiana katika miktadha tofauti ya kisiasa na kisheria na athari zake katika kuzingatia kanuni za kidemokrasia. Utafiti huu pia unachunguza viwango tofauti vya uhuru wa mahakama katika nchi zilizochaguliwa. Katiba ya Afrika Kusini ya 1996 inasifiwa kama moja wepo ya nyaraka zenye mwelekeo mzuri zaidi, Afrika Kusini inawakilisha demokrasia iliyoimarika na mfumo thabiti wa kisheria na taasisi imara zinazohakikisha uhuru wa mahakama. Utafiti huu unachunguza jinsi mahakama nchini Afrika Kusini imekuwa nguzo kuu ya demokrasia yao ya kikatiba katika kuzingatia kanuni za kidemokrasia, kulinda haki za binadamu, na kuhakikisha udhibiti na usawa ndani ya serikali. Urithi ulioachwa na wakoloni nchini Kenya ikija kwa suala la mahakama ulikuwa duni sana. Waliacha mahakama dhaifu na viongozi waliokuja madarakani baada ya uhuru hawakufanya jitihada kubadilisha hali hiyo ilivyokuwa na kuleta mabadiliko. Kutangazwa na kuweko rasmi wa katiba ya Kenya ya 2010 lilikuwa ni jambo lililopokelewa na lililofika kwa wakati muafaka. Ilipunguza ubadhilifu katika utawala, na ilichangia kwa kuwepo ama kuanzisha mahakama huru. Utafiti huu unaangazia baadhi ya mafanikio na changamoto za mahakama ya Kenya katika kudumisha na kuzingatia utawala wa sheria licha ya mashinikizo ya kisiasa. Uganda inatoa mtazamo tofauti, mahakama yake inafanya kazi katika mazingira yenye changamoto kadhaa kutoka kwenye serikali yao, baadhi yake zikiwa ni, mwelekeo wa kiimla, kusinyaa kwa nafasi za kisiasa na kiraia, na mkanganyiko wa mahakama kufikia uhuru kamili. Utafiti huu unachunguza juhudi za mahakama Text in English with abstract in English and Kiswahili 2025-04-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32398 Selected legal aspects of money-laundering control in trade-finance instruments Makuyana, Tsanangurai The traditional perception that trade-finance instruments are less susceptible to the risk of money laundering has changed due to the increasing threat of trade-based money laundering (TBML). In the process of facilitating trade-finance transactions, financial institutions may be entrapped in the dangers of TBML and be abused for criminal gains. In this regard, the institutions play a significant role in ensuring that only legitimate trade is facilitated through trade finance without being tainted by TBML. Despite that, vulnerabilities for the vice have been discovered in the trade-finance sector. This study employs a macro-comparative approach in examining how selected jurisdictions respond to the problem of TBML in trade-finance instruments. It analyses the vulnerabilities of documentary credits, documentary collections, demand guarantees and standby letters of credit to the potential risk of TBML. The thesis compares the response of the South African AML regime with that of the English, the US and Singapore AML regimes to the threat of TBML in the selected trade-finance instruments. The study reveals, inter alia, that there is not much difference between the South African AML regime and the AML regimes of the comparative jurisdictions in terms of the legislative response to the challenge of TBML in trade-finance transactions. However, the difference is apparent when it comes to the varied institutional responses to the problem within the jurisdictions considered in this thesis. While South African AML authorities have not made any official pronouncement against TBML in trade finance, those from other comparative jurisdictions have done so. The latter have also gone a step further to produce best practice reports on TBML for banks and other financial institutions involved in trade-finance transactions to enable the institutions to prepare for the challenge. However, similar to the South African position, there has not been any legislative change in the comparative jurisdictions to provide for TBML in specific terms. This means that these jurisdictions also deal with TBML using current AML legislation, which was designed originally for cash-based money-laundering operations. Therefore, the institutions and laws under the South African AML regime are relevant in the combatting of TBML. However, they may require some modifications to appropriately counter the challenge. The study makes various policy and best practice recommendations to strengthen the South African AML regime against TBML in trade-finance transactions. 2024-08-07T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32378 A critical analysis of immunity extended to the spouses of the heads of state Mugejo, Livit 2025-06-30T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32357 A comparative legal study of the derivative action in South Africa, Ghana and Australia Jennifer Owusu-Akyaw The derivative action, as practised in many jurisdictions worldwide, is a remedy by which a shareholder in a company (generally a minority shareholder) institutes legal action to protect the rights and interests of the company. Under the predominantly English law-based common law in South Africa, Ghana and Australia, the company is deemed a separate entity independent of all its stakeholders, which can sue and be sued in its corporate name. Decision-making within the company generally takes the form of a majority decision by the company’s shareholders. The minority shareholders are consequently subject to the decisions of the majority shareholders and the company’s directors. The courts are generally reluctant to interfere in the internal management of companies. This, therefore, offers restricted protection to the company and minority shareholder rights where the majority shareholders decline to act against the company’s wrongdoers on behalf of the company, or where the majority shareholders or directors are themselves the wrongdoers. The common-law derivative action is a remedy by which a shareholder in the company (generally a minority shareholder(s)) may institute legal proceedings to protect the rights and interests of the company. The common-law derivative action has several flaws. It has been plagued by uncertainty, procedural weaknesses, and the high cost of litigation. As a result, a number of leading jurisdictions, including South Africa, Ghana and Australia have revised their legal rules relating to the derivative action. Section 165 of the Companies Act 2008 is frequently referred to as South Africa’s statutory derivative action and has completely replaced the common-law derivative action and the derivative action under section 266 of the Companies Act 1973. Although there have been important court judgments clarifying the key features of section 165 of the Companies Act 2008, certain weaknesses can still be identified under the section. Ghana for a long time depended on the common-law derivative action with its attendant flaws, vagueness, procedural irregularities, and uncertainties. However, on 2 August 2019, the Companies Act 2019 was passed which specifically provides for a statutory derivative action in terms of sections 201 to 204. The Ghanaian statutory derivative action is relatively new in comparison with that of South Africa and Australia. Before 2000, the Australian derivative action had traditionally been enforced in terms of the common law. The Corporations Act 2001 in Part 2F.1A under sections 236 to 242 finally provided for a statutory derivative action in Australia. It came into force on 13 March 2000 through the promulgation of the Corporate Law Economic Reform Program Act 1999 (CLERP Act 1999). This thesis examines the statutory derivative action under South African, Ghanaian and Australian company law. The thesis will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the South African statutory derivation action in section 165 of the Companies Act 2008 in comparison with the strengths and weaknesses of section 201 of the Companies Act 2019 and sections 236 to 242 of the Corporations Act 2001. The purpose is to identify important lessons that South Africa, Ghana and Australia can learn from each other to resolve their weaknesses. The thesis provides recommendations for each of the three jurisdictions. The recommendations will be based on the important lessons that can be learned from the key features of the laws of each jurisdiction.; Die afgeleide aksie, soos dit in baie jurisdiksies wêreldwyd beoefen word, is 'n remedie waardeur 'n aandeelhouer in 'n maatskappy (gewoonlik 'n minderheidsaandeelhouer) regstappe instel om die regte en belange van die maatskappy te beskerm. Ingevolge die oorwegend Engelse regsgebaseerde gemenereg in Suid-Afrika, Ghana en Australië, word die maatskappy as 'n afsonderlike entiteit onafhanklik van al sy belanghebbendes beskou, wat in sy korporatiewe naam kan dagvaar en gedagvaar word. Besluitneming binne die maatskappy neem gewoonlik die vorm aan van 'n meerderheidsbesluit deur die maatskappy se aandeelhouers. Die minderheidsaandeelhouers is gevolglik onderhewig aan die besluite van die meerderheidsaandeelhouers en die maatskappy se direkteure. Die howe is oor die algemeen huiwerig om in te meng in die interne bestuur van maatskappye. Dit bied dus beperkte beskerming aan die maatskappy en minderheidsaandeelhouerregte waar die meerderheidsaandeelhouers weier om namens die maatskappy teen die maatskappy se oortreders op te tree, of waar die meerderheidsaandeelhouers of direkteure self die oortreders is. Die gemeenregtelike afgeleide aksie is 'n remedie waardeur 'n aandeelhouer in die maatskappy (gewoonlik 'n minderheidsaandeelhouer(s)) regstappe kan instel om die regte en belange van die maatskappy te beskerm. Die gemeenregtelike afgeleide aksie het verskeie gebreke. Dit word geteister deur onsekerheid, prosedurele swakhede en die hoë koste van litigasie. Gevolglik het 'n aantal toonaangewende jurisdiksies, insluitend Suid-Afrika, Ghana en Australië, hul regsreëls met betrekking tot die afgeleide aksie hersien. Artikel 165 van die Maatskappywet 2008 word gereeld na verwys as Suid-Afrika se statutêre afgeleide aksie en het die gemeenregtelike afgeleide aksie en die afgeleide aksie kragtens artikel 266 van die Maatskappywet 1973 heeltemal vervang. Alhoewel daar belangrike hofuitsprake was wat die belangrikste kenmerke van artikel 165 van die Maatskappywet 2008 verduidelik het, kan sekere swakhede steeds onder die artikel geïdentifiseer word. Ghana was lank afhanklik van die gemeenregtelike afgeleide aksie met sy gepaardgaande gebreke, vaagheid, prosedurele onreëlmatighede en onsekerhede. Maar, op 2 Augustus 2019 is die Maatskappywet 2019 aangeneem, wat spesifiek voorsiening maak vir 'n statutêre afgeleide aksie ingevolge artikels 201 tot 204. Die Ghanese statutêre afgeleide aksie is relatief nuut in vergelyking met dié van Suid-Afrika en Australië. Voor 2000 is die Australiese afgeleide aksie tradisioneel afgedwing ingevolge die gemenereg. Die Korporasiewet 2001 in Deel 2F.1A onder artikels 236 tot 242 het uiteindelik voorsiening gemaak vir 'n statutêre afgeleide aksie in Australië. Dit het op 13 Maart 2000 in werking getree deur die promulgering van die Korporatiewe Reg Ekonomiese Hervormingsprogramwet 1999 (CLERP-wet 1999). Hierdie tesis ondersoek die statutêre afgeleide aksie onder Suid-Afrikaanse, Ghanese en Australiese maatskappyreg. Die tesis sal die sterk- en swakpunte van die Suid-Afrikaanse statutêre afleidingsaksie in artikel 165 van die Maatskappywet 2008 uitlig in vergelyking met die sterk- en swakpunte van artikel 201 van die Maatskappywet 2019 en artikels 236 tot 242 van die Korporasiewet 2001. Die doel is om belangrike lesse te identifiseer wat Suid-Afrika, Ghana en Australië by mekaar kan leer om hul swakpunte op te los. Die tesis verskaf aanbevelings vir elk van die drie jurisdiksies. Die aanbevelings sal gebaseer wees op die belangrike lesse wat geleer kan word uit die sleutelkenmerke van die wette van elke jurisdiksie. Summary in English and Afrikaans 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z