Rule of Law
SALC’s Rule of Law work is integrated within its other programmatic areas and focuses on the following objectives:
- To challenge encroachments on judicial independence.
- To challenge practices where the executive seeks to encroach on the powers of parliament or the judiciary.
Current cases:
Swaziland: Challenging the constitutionality of the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act.
Swaziland: Challenging the constitutionality of the Suppression of Terrorism Act.
Completed cases:
Lesotho: Support wife of late Brigadier Mahau to argue against the setting aside of the findings of the SADC Commission of Inquiry into Lesotho.
Botswana: Challenge interpretation of Constitution which allows President discretion to appoint High Court judges.
Swaziland: Challenging lawyer and editor’s arrest and detention for contempt of court.
Zambia: Defending anti-corruption activist charged with contempt of court.
Lesotho: Conduct advocacy and litigation to address unlawful arrests and military detention.

NEWS RELEASE: SALC STATEMENT ON THE ATTACK ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN ZIMBABWE...
21 January 2021 – SALC is deeply concerned by the arrest and detention of investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and lawyers…
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Reaffirming tolerance in Southern Africa on 16 November: The UN international da...
By Kelvin Vries On 16 November 1995, UNESCO’s member states adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance. The Declaration defines…
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Policy Brief: Rule by Law and the Attack on Civic Freedoms in Tanzania...
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli was elected to office in 2015, and it has been under his tenure that the country’s…
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SALC Submission on Mozambique’s 3rd Universal Periodic Review...
Mozambique’s 3rd Universal Periodic Review 38th Session (May 2021) Submission by: Southern Africa Litigation Centre October 2020 Introduction This submission…
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Statement condemning the suppression of human rights violations in Tanzania ahea...
SALC is deeply concerned about the reports of human rights violations taking place in Tanzania ahead of the upcoming general…
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JOINT STATEMENT CONCERNING THE JUDGMENT AGAINST LAWYER BEATRICE MTETWA...
We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations and individuals note with grave concern the decision of the Zimbabwean Magistrates Court to disqualify…
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SALC statement condemning the barring of Zimbabwean human rights lawyer and SAL...
The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) condemns the recent barring of Zimbabwean human rights lawyer and SALC board member, Beatrice…
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Joint Letter to the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of Tanzania...
On 07 August, the Southern Africa Litigation Centre, SADC Lawyers Association and Centre for Strategic Litigation issued a letter to…
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