As South Africans approached their elections earlier this year, many were apprehensive about the favours that were owed by the then presumptive President Jacob Zuma to the left wing of the ANC, Cosatu, the SA Communist party and the ANC Youth League. Indeed analysts and political observers expressed concerns that the President would land up […]
Michael Trapido
Mike Trapido is a criminal attorney and publicist having also worked as an editor and journalist.
He was born in Johannesburg and attended HA Jack and Highlands North High Schools.
He married Robyn in 1984 (Mrs Traps, aka "the government") and has three sons (who all look suspiciously like her ex-boss).
He was a counsellor on the JCCI for a year around 1992.
His passions include Derby County, Blue Bulls, Orlando Pirates, Proteas and Springboks.
He takes Valium in order to cope with Bafana Bafana's results.
Practice Michael Trapido Attorney (civil and criminal) 011 022 7332
Posted inGeneral
The first ANCYL-SACP war
Anyone who fails to see the humour in the ANCYL versus SACP “war” either hasn’t lived in South Africa long enough or just doesn’t see the funny side of the things that go on around us every day. It really is hysterical in every sense of the word. In fact I have to admit that […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Malema to Cronin: U R in trouble luv Juju
The City Press report, revealing that an embarrassed ANC Youth League president Julius Malema sent a threatening SMS to SA Communist Party (SACP) deputy general secretary Jeremy Cronin following his somewhat less-than-glorious appearance at the SACP conference, clearly demonstrates that post-Polokwane the strongmen are flexing their muscles and woe betide anyone that gets in the […]
Posted inGeneral
Mantashe for president
If Julius Malema learned a few lessons yesterday it was that neither Gwede Mantashe nor Blade Nzimande will put up with his fiery rhetoric and neither are the people to start with when he’s trying to make a name for himself. Indeed the ANC Youth League president, constantly fed a diet of “boys will be […]
Posted inGeneral
Ban the old South African flag
When Springbok captain John Smit explained to those who had waived the old flags in the faces of him and his team that the players were aware of the fact that they were playing for all South Africans not just a minority, he captured right there the essence of the debate. The old South African […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The only ‘apie’ is Terre’Blanche
Eugene Terre’Blanche is in trouble once again. A comment he made in Pretoria over the weekend has been reported to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) which has confirmed that it is currently with their legal services department. Terre’Blanche, leader of the fringe Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB), allegedly pointed at the statue of Chief Tshwane […]
Posted inGeneral
As much as I respect Zulu culture, ukweshwama can never be condoned
One of the sources of great pride to most South Africans is the presence among us of the Zulu nation. At once loyal and courageous this band of brothers took on the might of the British Empire during the 19th century with primitive weaponry and never gave ground. As such their prowess as a great […]
Posted inGeneral
ANC-Cosatu rift widens
Just when South Africans thought that rifts within the alliance were a thing of the past post-Zuma versus Mbeki, along comes the next big one. This time it is Cosatu taking on what it considers to be the anti-left elements within the ANC. If regard is had to the Reuters article (click on link) then […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Tiger’s statement invites further speculation
The incident which took place at Tiger Wood’s home in the early hours of Friday morning could have happened to any married couple. Heated arguments followed by physical violence is so commonplace that most lower courts the world over hardly blink when these matters come before them. As a specialised criminal attorney I’m speaking from […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Why Simelane for the NPA?
Constitutional law expert Pierre de Vos has suggested that the appointment of advocate Menzi Simelane as national director of prosecutions is “the darkest and most scandalous day yet in the short life of President [Jacob] Zuma’s tenure”. Writing two pieces on the new head of the NPA, De Vos is scathing calling Simelane “a liar” […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Are SA mercenaries assisting Guinea’s military junta?
Within a matter of weeks of Britain’s Simon Mann being granted a pardon for his part in a foiled 2004 coup attempt on Equatorial Guinea (which included a number of our guys), South Africans are once again being linked to mercenary activity. This time the allegations relate to Guinea where they are purportedly training soldiers […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Mbeki not a candidate for genocide charges
My regulars know that I’m a fan of former president Thabo Mbeki and as such I thought it best that I give the rest of you the heads-up before starting this discussion. Of course that does not mean I am unaware of his faults, the worst of which was his administration’s approach to the question […]