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

TAC march to parliament on world TB day

Activists from the Treatment Action Campaign marched on Parliament this morning to call for better leadership in tuberculosis (TB) treatment and prevention in South Africa. Today is World TB day.

Daneel Knoetze

Brief | 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

Fate of Ottery school for child offenders uncertain

Michael Jackson impersonations, singing, rapping and gumboot dancing were on display Friday morning when boys from the Ottery Youth and Education Centre celebrated for Human Rights Day. The centre's hall was filled with students, one after another performing a song, a dance piece or reading a passage to describe what Human Rights Day meant to them.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 23 March 2015

Eskom: a wake-up call to government and unions

Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa persists in referring to the mess that is Eskom as “a challenge”. He did so in his Q&A session in parliament last week. But the situation at Eskom is perhaps the greatest crisis ever to face our fragile, non-racist democracy, especially given the global economic climate.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 23 March 2015

By ignoring petitions, government encourages violent protest

The Eastern Cape government has failed to even acknowledge a petition from a group of housing project beneficiaries. What options does this leave aggrieved citizens, asks Mimosa Delgaro?

Mimosa Delgaro

Opinion | 20 March 2015

ANC councillors in dock for murder of activist

The ANC in KwaZulu Natal says it has decided to suspend two ward councillors, including Mduduzi Ngcobo, who face charges relating to the murder of Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM) activist Thuli Ndlovu in September last year.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 20 March 2015

Zimbabweans remain unhappy with special permit process

After Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba gave the media an update on the Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP) in Midrand on Monday, Zimbabweans who spoke to GroundUp claim there were challenges with the ZSP which the minister did not address. These included delays and rejections.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 20 March 2015

Will Wolwerivier be a model for development, or the next Blikkiesdorp?

Loud barks from a multitude of dogs are what you hear when entering the small area of Wolwerivier, where 28 families live under difficult conditions.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

Feature | 20 March 2015