'He Was in a Dark Place'

The legal community is in shock after advocate Paul Kennedy took his own life as he faced more than 700 criminal charges relating to a child-sex ring

- By Siphokazi Zama

He was a pillar of the legal community and those who knew him tell of a serious, sober and principled lawyer who was always willing to lend his expertise to younger colleagues.

Advocate Paul Kennedy helped people get started in the industry, offered free legal advice to those in need and tirelessly fought against corruption.

He was also an evidence leader for the State Capture Commission and was later involved in court applications to have the commission’s deadline extended.

But it seems the leading light in the law fraternity also had a dark side – and the extent of it has stunned the profession and shocked those in his close circle.

The 63-year-old killed himself at his Johannesburg home as a litany of criminal charges related to child rape and porn mounted. A week before his death, Kennedy was also set to be charged with attempted murder after one of his alleged victims tested positive for HIV.

And for Busi Shange, the details that are emerging are nothing short of devastating. “When my daughter told me about the allegations against him, I defended him. I was sure they were lying about him.”

Busi worked closely with Kennedy for 32 years and had been at his home many times. There were never any signs he was involved in anything untoward, she says, and she had the utmost respect for him.