Christopher Hitchens in a recent article in Slate magazine entitled – “Mandela Envy” — postulated the following — “But I have a theory of my very own: I believe that Mugabe was also driven into a permanent rage by the adulation heaped internationally on Nelson Mandela, an accolade of praise and recognition that he felt […]
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 inNews/Politics
Ukhahlamba massacre: Arrest the bastards from the municipality
When 80 children die because municipal authorities neglected, failed or just point-blank refused to issue warnings against drinking tap water, in the face of compelling evidence to do so, then those concerned must be arrested and charged with culpable homicide. When the municipal water-purification plant broke down in October, the Ukhahlamba district municipality received a […]
Posted inGeneral
Is religion the new social evil? Pope on the slippery slope?
In a poll conducted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in the United Kingdom, faith — defined here not as limited to extremism but rather in the broadest possible terms — was considered to be tantamount to “intolerance, irrational behaviour and the basis for justifying persecution”. Many of those polled not only believed that faith was […]
Posted inGeneral
Recolonisation of Africa? Choose South Africa first
Kenya and Zimbabwe have refocused the minds of Africans, and those further afield, on how vulnerable the countries of this continent are to political opportunism. What tribal divisions in the north and a lack of willingness to intervene in the south have shown is that unless countries are based on something more substantial than mere […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Cosatu and AfriForum show the way: SA will not be the next Zimbabwe
If South Africa is to avoid becoming the next Zimbabwe, then a material role needs to be played by the powerful trade unions that are, even now, showing us the way forward. Not for them the meek and mild acceptance of Eskom’s rate hikes, food price increases or even demands for arms to be offloaded […]
Posted inMedia, News/Politics
Bullard? Qwelane? I’d hire them like a shot
When I read David Bullard’s offending article, which was a disgrace, I pulled no punches — I said that when he had time to reflect he would realise that this was not his finest hour. Now having watched him on the Noeleen show and read his apology, my estimation of the man, which was always […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Zimbabwe: Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war
When Mugabe and his henchmen start spouting on about treason and fictitious requests for invasion, purportedly made by the MDC and ridiculed by the British government, then their intent is all too clear. What the electorate of Zimbabwe has taken away, Mugabe and his now illegal regime will reclaim over the dead bodies of “his […]
Posted inGeneral
Afrikaner aspirations: An hour with AfriForum’s Kallie Kriel
Many South Africans believe that leaving the country or sticking it out under a cloud of despair are the only options available to us. Fortunately there are those who believe that we can achieve far better, through peaceful means, operating within the systems of our great country. Carl Martin Kriel (38), born in Johannesburg and […]
Posted inLifestyle
Fake crack for the elderly and a six-year-old sex offender: Bring back corporal punishment!
This week the Sowetan ran a poll to try to assess its readers’ views on the best way to ensure safety at schools — turns out that corporal punishment came romping in as the “weapon of choice”. Sucks to all of you who gave me an earful for daring to raise it on Thought Leader. […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Zimbabwe: Forget the president, let Cosatu act as mediator
President Thabo Mbeki is right. There is no crisis in Zimbabwe. Next to hyperinflation, mass starvation, brutalisation of the population, Gukurahundi, 80% unemployment and any number of other plagues Mugabe has visited on the people of Zimbabwe, why would failing to release the presidential election results constitute a crisis? Indeed it would seem mere footling […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Zuma endorsement of Shabangu in stark contrast to ANC policy on death penalty
You have to admit that Msholozi and Deputy Safety and Security Minister Susan Shabangu’s calls to shoot the criminals and kill the bastards make you feel kinda warm all over. Let’s face it, South Africans are sick and tired of criminals and the sooner this blight on our country is brought under control, the better. […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Deputy Minister Shabangu: The quest for zero citizens
As a specialist criminal attorney, I would like to put Deputy Safety and Security Minister Susan Shabangu’s instructions to the police into some sort of context; translate it from the ill-considered idea that gave rise to the ridiculous orders and demonstrate how this would affect people in reality. In essence, the minister has ordered the […]