Fleeced! How Ellerines and African Bank misled a customer into debt

“Making Life Easier For You” is Ellerines’ promise to customers. But the high-profile furniture outlet has made life anything but easy for Patricia Qwase.

Michelle Korte

News | 24 July 2014

Cape Town’s protest permit system not supported by law, says City employee

The City of Cape Town's policy that requires groups, marchers and protesters to apply for a gathering permit is not supported by law. This was a concession made by one of the City's own officials, Noel da Silva, who is employed to consider such applications and to grant permits.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 23 July 2014

Makhaza’s shoddily built houses

Zone 14 residents in Makhaza are worried about the shoddy building of houses managed by the Niall Mellon Township Trust (NMTT). This has prompted the provincial Human Settlements Department to investigate after receiving numerous complaints.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 23 July 2014

The mountain is not for gays

For many South Africans, the practice of traditional circumcision is vital for males if they wish their community to regard them as men and no longer boys. For most it is a significant experience, but for some it can be unbearable.

Pharie Sefali

News | 23 July 2014

SANRAL says City of Cape Town was involved in the eviction of displaced Nomzamo residents

Nomzamo informal settlement residents would have been relocated to new land years ago had the City of Cape Town not withdrawn from negotiations in 2011, attorneys for the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) told the Lwandle Inquiry yesterday.

Barbara Maregele

News | 23 July 2014

Astonishing cost of Angy Peter trial sheds light on price of justice

After five months of sitting trial, Angy Peter and her husband Isaac Mbadu have yet to receive a verdict. In the process, they’ve racked up over R1.6 million in lawyer fees, according to the Social Justice Coalition (SJC).

Lara Sokoloff

Analysis | 23 July 2014

Murdered doctor: TAC marches through Khayelitsha

Escorted by the metro police and the South African Police Service (SAPS), carrying a huge banner written “Criminals are being nursed by the system, justice must prevail”, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) led a march through Khayelitsha to demand safe communities.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 22 July 2014

Khayelitsha’s stinkiest home finally gets cleaned up

A house in Khayelitsha stank so badly, even the neighbours complained about it. Thankfully, the City of Cape Town has unblocked the sewage drain of Mluleki Gantso’s house.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 22 July 2014

Why Mike Schussler is wrong about inequality

Popular economist Mike Schussler’s recently published article distorts the available statistical evidence to buttress a bizarre argument.

Gilad Isaacs

Opinion | 22 July 2014

Premier called “racist girl” as tensions flare at Lwandle inquiry

Tensions flared during the second half of the Lwandle inquiry yesterday after Ses’khona leader Loyiso Nkohla referred to Western Cape Premier Helen Zille as a “racist girl”. The remark prompted an infuriated DA staffer, Jamie Turkington, to interject during Nkohla’s presentation.

Barbara Maregele

News | 22 July 2014

Ward councilor sheds light on the history of evicted Nomazo residents

A Nomzamo ward councillor told the ministerial inquiry into the Lwandle evictions how he cautioned a group of backyarders, who were tired of “unfulfilled promises” by the City of Cape Town, against settling on land owned by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL).

Barbara Maregele

News | 22 July 2014

No one should have to bump into De Kock in the supermarket

A growing number of people, including some surprising names, such as Max du Preez, and others more predictable, such as FW de Klerk, seem to believe that Eugene De Kock, head of the Vlakplaas torture camp and death squad, should be released from prison. Here is why I disagree.

Brent Meersman

Opinion | 22 July 2014

Shacks in Masiphumelele wetland area drenched

The Masiphumele informal settlement in Fish Hoek was flooded on Thursday by heavy rains.

Zintle Swana

News | 21 July 2014

Does anybody remember AIDS?

This week thousands of activists, scientists and government officials will troop to Melbourne, Australia, to participate in the 20th International AIDS Conference.

Mark Heywood

Opinion | 21 July 2014

City in the hot seat over toilet audit

Over a quarter of the flush toilets inspected during the Social Justice Coalition’s (SJC) social audit did not work.

Barbara Maregele

News | 21 July 2014

The Difficulty with De Kock

On 10 July 2014 the Minister of Justice, Michael Masutha, conveyed his decision to refuse Eugene de Kock’s application for parole to the public. His decision, although unsurprising, is unusual for having gone against the respective recommendations of the National Council for Correctional Services and the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board, who, in November 2013, recommended that de Dock be released on parole.

Clare Ballard

Opinion | 21 July 2014