In South Africa, issues of the gender and racial composition of the judiciary, as well as allegations of racism within the judiciary, have come to the fore towards the end of 2004.
The introduction of a package of bills allegedly affecting the independence of the judiciary received considerable attention in the first few months of 2005 and is still the subject of ongoing debate.
The trial and conviction of Schabir Shaik, the former financial adviser to Jacob Zuma, on charges of corruption and fraud, led to the dismissal of Zuma as deputy president of the country in June 2005. Zuma has subsequently been charged with corruption by the National Prosecuting Authority.
South Africa-Attacks on Justice 2005-Publications-2008 (full text, PDF)