At about 4pm on May 8 2006, while Judge Willem van der Merwe was handing down a verdict of not guilty in the Jacob Zuma rape trial, I was waiting for a client outside the Carlton Centre in the Johannesburg city centre. The atmosphere in town was electric and even though I obviously knew who […]
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
South Africa — a worst-case scenario
Professor Steven Friedman, in his article on the potential direction of South African politics during 2008, looked at four possible scenarios pursuant to the charging of ANC president Jacob Zuma. Like his astute assessments at Polokwane, where his analysis alongside Justice Malala was most welcome, his knowledge on the mechanics of democracy and the South […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Mbeki’s exit strategy allied to a tricky Zuma precedent
With more than 130 dead in the aftermath of the Kenyan elections and Pakistan going through a maelstrom post-Benazir Bhutto, it is in the interests of all South Africans that president Thabo Mbeki map out an exit strategy sooner rather than later. I am not suggesting early elections but rather a measure of certainty being […]
Posted inGeneral
2008 : Nutcracker’s sweet or ballbreakers R Us? (Part II)
And now for something completely different: July World Youth Day will be celebrated in Sydney, Australia, and Bill Gates will step down from the day-to-day running of Microsoft. As the Jacob Zuma trial approaches, the government confirms that the decision on Jackie Selebi will be taken as soon as the minister of justice has returned […]
Posted inGeneral
2008: Nutcracker’s sweet or ballbreakers R Us? (Part I)
So don’t yield to the fortunes — You sometimes see as fate — It may have a new perspective — On a different date — And if you don’t give up, and don’t give in — You may just be OK. (Mike and the Mechanics, Living Years) 2008 may well prove to be pivotal in […]
Posted inGeneral
Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, al-Qaeda and a lesson for South Africa
Regular readers of my blog will be aware of my close affinity with the people of Pakistan, which initially arose from my contact with their cricket fans. What started as a fascination with their sporting prowess grew into an intense interest in all things concerning their country and the region.
Posted inLifestyle
Cyberlover, privacy tsars and the Jewish husband
Earlier this month a Russian chatbot called Cyberlover began appearing on online dating services. The idea behind it being to get unwitting “clients” to give their personal details away, thereby opening themselves up to all kinds of fraud and theft. Ingenious. Of course the leaking of data is becoming a major concern the world over, […]
Posted inNews/Politics
All you need in politics is a Thaksin and a bit of Zuma: Are you Msholozi in disguise?
If it hasn’t struck you yet, the similarities between African National Congress president Jacob Zuma and deposed, perhaps soon to be new, Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, are incredible. Let’s start by looking at an article in the Times of London. Anyone? Thaksin is a Thai in exile, facing charges of corruption yet sealed a […]
Posted inLifestyle
Tony Blair’s a Catholic
While the more left-leaning British media thrill to the news that Nick Clegg, new leader of the Liberal Democrats, does not believe in God, tonnes of ink is being spilled over Tony Blair’s conversion to Catholicism. And that’s not all. If you buy the Sunday Telegraph (UK) this week only, you’ll learn that Britain itself […]
Posted inNews/Politics
If Zuma equals Zimbabwe, then Winnie must be my cousin
Have I got the wrong end of the brolly? I purposely stood back and watched the events of Polokwane unfold before trying to put together some sort of semi-rational analysis — not easy when you read some of the articles in the overseas press. They snatch at words or terms used in the run-up to […]
Posted inGeneral
Sweet 16, never been kissed: A tale of the Sexual Offences Act
Before any of you start writing in to tell me that the Act wouldn’t affect an ugly old goat like me, I want to place on record that some of my old girlfriends have won competitions! These include, but are not limited to, the Crufts Hurdling Champion 1984, Epol Allcomers (any breed) 1985 and the […]
Posted inGeneral
Robert Mugabe’s Monopoly
We all remember Bob’s version of Cluedo where you had to guess the victim an’ all — “The leader of the opposition, underneath the prison, with the lead piping.” Unfortunately it was banned after the archbishop of Bulawayo said nasty things about Uncle Bob and they couldn’t use the Reverend Green any more. Having said […]