Author: Martin Akuma

YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — A scandal is brewing in Cameroon following the circulation of a document containing the alleged signatures of those endorsing President Paul Biya for the upcoming presidential election. The list, boasting over 500 signatories, has come under scrutiny after revelations emerged that it includes names of deceased people and some university professors. Some of the professors who were unaware of their inclusion have voiced embarrassment and outrage, some threatening legal action against the orchestrators of the motion.​The contentious document began making rounds on social media in recent days, sparking widespread debate and raising questions about the authenticity of…

YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – Cameroon’s Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji, has publicly acknowledged that the government engaged in discussions with the abductors of Roland Ewane, the Divisional Officer (D.O.) for Idabato, to secure his release after more than five months in captivity. This revelation comes in stark contrast to the government’s long-standing position against negotiating with what it labels as “terrorists and kidnappers.”Ewane, who was kidnapped on October 1, 2024, by a group of armed men suspected to be maritime pirates operating in the Bakassi Peninsula, was freed on March 17, 2025. His captors had initially demanded a ransom of…

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s potential visa bans target several African nations, including Cameroon, through a tiered classification system. The policy, reportedly under discussion at the U.S. State Department, divides affected nations into three categories based on travel restrictions, security concerns, and diplomatic considerations.The first category consists of countries facing outright travel bans to the United States. Nine nations fall into this category, including three African nations: Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. These countries, according to U.S. officials, pose significant security risks, prompting the administration to enforce full visa suspensions.The second category includes nations subject to partial visa restrictions, targeting specific…

More than 4 000 lawyers attended the IBA Conference in Mexico City. The opening was on Sunday, 15 September 2024, and the Law Society of South Africa’s (LSSA) President Joanne Anthony-Gooden (second from left) represented the LSSA. Legal Practice Council Chairperson, Janine Myburgh (third from left front) also attended the conference. With them in the photo is: Charlotte Stubbs of the Law Council of Australia (third from left rear), Colin Jupp and Jason Maynard (second and first from the right), partners from Peter D Maynard Counsel & Attorneys. The International Bar Association’s (IBA) Annual Conference was held from 15 to…

The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) celebrated 85-years of its existence. The celebration was hosted and sponsored by Investec, an NCPD sponsor, and was held at Investec offices in Sandton on 17 October 2024. The organisation’s partners, who have supported them throughout the years, were also in attendance. Chairperson of the Board, Alex Msitshana, said the celebration was not only the 85-years legacy of creating an impact and empowering persons with disabilities, but also a celebration of the remarkable partnerships that the organisation has made. ‘Today we gather as a community that has come together over…

The Black Conveyancers Association (BCA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and gala dinner on 25 and 26 October 2024 in Cape Town. In a press release the BCA said that the dinner was held in celebration of the gazetting of the Legal Sector Code and the establishment of the Legal Sector Transformation Fund. Minister Enoch Godongwana, with an additional member of NEC of Black Conveyancers Association Goitse Mataboge. The AGM was not only attended by BCA members, but it was also graced by Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Trade, Industry and…

Mrs Universe South Africa 2024 finalist and legal practitioner Fadzi Ledwaba. Legal practitioner, Fadzi Ledwaba, entered Mrs Universe South Africa 2024 to become an ambassador for women and children who are victims of domestic violence within the Republic of South Africa. Ms Ledwaba, who hails from Musina in Limpopo, describes herself as a loving, God-fearing, family and goal-oriented woman, a fitness enthusiast, and a professional yet assertive individual. She holds an LLB degree, which she attained from the University of Limpopo, LLM (Private Law) and MBA from the University of South Africa, Executive Development certificate from Wits Business School, and Compliance…

The field of family law touches nearly every member of society at some point in their lives, with outcomes that often have a lasting impact on the most vulnerable among us. In spite of this, the significance of family law has often been downplayed. Recognising the importance of this field to the community at large, the Gauteng Family Law Forum (GFLF) stands as a beacon of progress and collaboration for legal practitioners specialising in family law. Founded in response to a compelling call by Judge President Dunstan Mlambo during the first annual Family Law Conference in 2014, the GFLF was…

CAIRO —Samuel Eto’o, the former Cameroonian football star and current president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), has been elected unopposed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee. This election occurred during CAF’s extraordinary general assembly held in Cairo on March 12, 2025.Eto’o’s path to the executive committee was not without challenges. Initially, CAF’s governance committee had declared him ineligible in January 2025, citing prior disciplinary actions. These included a six-month ban imposed by FIFA in September 2024 for violating disciplinary regulations, specifically for allegedly verbally abusing match officials during the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. Additionally,…

By Brian Mhlongo The article by Bruce Andre Barkhuizen (Bruce Andre Barkhuizen ‘Are legal practitioners admitted in terms of the Legal Practice Act commissioners of oaths?’ 2024 (Dec) DR 20) raises pertinent questions about the powers of legal practitioners admitted under the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 (LPA), particularly regarding their status as commissioners of oaths. While the article rightly highlights the provisions of the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act 16 of 1963, a broader and contextual understanding of the legislative framework is necessary to address the concerns raised. Section 118 of the LPA Section…