I believe, strongly, that we have a fair and just legal system in South Africa as those that commit offences are made to face the full might of the law.

But this year has been a crucial moment for our justice system; with the Oscar Pistorius and Shrien Dewani court cases being widely reported on and debated.

South Africans were so involved in these cases that most got emotionally invested in commenting on the progress of the trials.

I must admit I was one of them, I felt the need to speak out and add my own thoughts whenever the subject was bought up.

When Oscar was prosecuted and handed a prison sentence of five years, it was sombre feeling for many but we thought at least justice was served and he will face a prison sentence.

And with the Shrien Dewani case many were also emotionally involved, a number of news channels spoke extensively to Anni Dewani’s family about their trauma, grief and their need for justice.

A group of concerned individuals made themselves spokespersons for Anni and even created the Anni4Justice campaign, demanding that Judge Jeanette Traverso remove herself from the case, because of what they saw as biased and undue questioning by the judge.

But all these efforts were shattered as Shrien was acquitted of all charges related to the murder of his wife, Anni, because the state failed to provide the needed facts to substantiate their case.

Even though many failed to understand and showed their disappointment through Twitter and Facebook, claiming that our justice system is not fair and going further to make claims that if one has money in South Africa – they can get away with murder.

But I don’t agree, I think our country has a fair justice system, because one has to be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Imagine if the state was not required to provide enough facts and anything could be accepted as substantial reason why that person is guilty?

That is one thought I hope can only remain as just a thought.

The justice system does not exist to satisfy the emotions of the public and we should stop expecting it to.

These high profile cases have highlighted an important aspect; that true justice, in action, is a hard pill to swallow for many. ZM