MPUMALANGA SCAM: ‘Unique in our jurisprudence’: The price of the state’s refusal to pay Fred Daniel

Following the historic ruling of Judge Neil Tuchten in September 2025, which found that conservationist Fred Daniel had been the victim of a violent campaign – led by former deputy president David Mabuza – to bury his revelations of State Capture in Mpumalanga, the South African government doubled down on its strategy of deferment and denial. But now, with its refusal to pay cost orders and its non-compliance with the rules of appeal, the government may be running out of road.