News

Disabled man says Kimberley municipality let him down

Kimberley resident Frans Bernd has needed to use a wheelchair since his leg was amputated in 1991. He thought his dream of owning a house would come true when the municipality told him in 2014 to move to a site where houses and services would be available. But the dream has turned into a nightmare.

Douglas Mthukwane

News | 2 April 2015

Zimbabwean man stranded in prison for 20 days and counting

A Zimbabwean man, Simbarashe Mariga, has been in Pollsmoor prison for more than 20 days without appearing in court.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 2 April 2015

De Lille and Ehrenreich to tango

Mayor Patricia De Lille and her arch-enemy Tony Ehrenreich, the leader of the ANC in the City Council, have made a shock joint announcement. The two will put aside their differences to compete in the next season of the popular reality television show Strictly Come Dancing.

Sipho Merengue

News | 1 April 2015

Langa’s open streets brings people together from across city

Rubusana Avenue, Jungle Walk and Washington Street, in Langa, were packed on Sunday as scores of people came out to participate in the Open Streets project.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 30 March 2015

Free State health workers on trial for protesting dismissals

There are protests outside the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court this morning, as a trial of health workers resumes amidst widespread dissatisfaction with the Free State health system and MEC Benny Malakoane.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 30 March 2015

Madala goes back to school

A Gugulethu man is a living testimony to the old adage “you are never too old to learn”. At the age of 63 he is back at school to finish his matric after a 46 year absence.

Michael Nkalane

News | 27 March 2015

Angolan reporter who exposed torture hauled into court

The defamation trial of Angolan journalist Rafael Marques de Morais, accused of libelling seven of the country’s military generals in a book he wrote, kicked off in Luanda on Tuesday. The generals are suing him for defamation – which could cost him $1.2-million in damages and nine years in prison -- after he had asked for them to be investigated for human rights abuses he first exposed in a book.

Pharie Sefali

News | 27 March 2015

Concourt gives Sassa seven months for R10 billion tender

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has been given seven months to award a new contract for the payment of social welfare grants, the Constitutional Court ruled this week.

Barbara Maregele

News | 26 March 2015

How shack extension permits work

Informal settlement residents say they are always told by law enforcement and the Anti Land Invasion Unit that if they want to extend or renovate their shacks, they need to obtain a permit from the City of Cape Town. But what exactly is this permit and how does it work?

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 25 March 2015

Police soft on crimes against foreigners, say Westlake residents

The murder of a 24-year-old Malawian has increased tensions in Westlake. Residents complain that the Kirstenhof police do not take attacks on foreigners seriously enough.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 25 March 2015

Manenberg residents tired of living in containers

Some of the Manenberg residents who were temporarily relocated to containers more than five months ago say they are eager to move back to their homes. Dozens of families that have been living for decades in the council-owned flat of Eva Court were moved from their homes to make way for its refurbishment in October last year. But a three-month long gang war in the area, rampant vandalism and a delay in payment to contractors by the City of Cape Town has delayed work for months. The upgrade is expected to be only completed by May.

Barbara Maregele

News | 25 March 2015

MPs urged to get tested for TB

All MPs should get themselves tested for TB, the Treatment Action Campaign says.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 24 March 2015

Langa’s new king of electronic dance music

Born and raised in Langa township, Makonwabe Bekwa aka AudioJerk is a dance floor magnet with his unique electronic, techno and dubstep sound. He is also fast becoming one of the Mother City's most sought after DJs.

Zethu Gqola

News | 24 March 2015

Athlone asbestos victim gets his money

Cassiem Mohammed, who worked for 40 years at the Athlone Power Station, has finally been paid compensation for the lung disease he developed from contact with deadly asbestos fibres at work.

Pete Lewis

News | 24 March 2015

Ex-offenders call for an end to crime in Gugulethu

For over 10 years, Mabhuti Godla was known for tormenting the Gugulethu community. He had been arrested for various crimes, including drug possession and armed robbery. But since joining Realistic, a non-profit organisation, two years ago, Godla says he is determined to dissuade others from a life of crime.

Barbara Maregele

News | 23 March 2015

Down with xenophobia! say Khayelitsha organisations

To commemorate Human Rights Day and raise awareness about xenophobia, around 80 South Africans and Somalis marched in Khayelitsha Site C at an event organised by the Social Justice Coalition (SJC).

Tariro Washinyira

News | 23 March 2015