South Africa|Western Cape

Extortion rings prey on poor communities

An owner of a fruit and vegetable stall in Philippi says he must pay a gang R500 a month not to rob him

Some pensioners are still queuing for hours for their grants

But payments seem to be going more smoothly, at least in some places

Small-scale farmers suffer devastating losses after Western Cape floods

At a Genadendal farm, nearly 500 chickens drowned, and over 50 pigs are missing

Conflict over land for rail line occupiers

Traditional leaders say the land is used for Xhosa initiation rituals

“I want to take my last breath in this house” says Cape farm dweller facing eviction

The families are refusing the leave, saying life on the farm is all they’ve ever known

Hundreds walk to celebrate recovery from addiction

Only about 1 in 20 South Africans with drug or alcohol problems access treatment

Salt River heritage festival: knowing the past to shape a better world

On Saturday new giant murals were unveiled in the historic suburb

Children frolic in flood water as only pool in Brown’s Farm remains closed

The pool in Philippi has been closed since August when it was vandalised during the taxi protests

Cape flood: homes buried in mud

Sir Lowry’s Pass flood victims face uncertain future

Police silent on crime reporting system problems

“This is just a classic case of laziness from the police. There is always a solution.”

Cape Town backyard dwellers doorstop housing officials at Civic Centre

“People die waiting for a house,” says backyarder from Hanover Park

“I saw my shoes float on water and heard my cat meow”

Western Cape mops up after devastating floods

Commuters struggle with transport costs as Metrorail central line remains closed

Some workers are spending half their wage to commute because trains aren’t running

In photos: Cape Town children celebrate Heritage Day with traditional games

Indigenous games like morabaraba “remind children who they are”, says coach

The Western Cape storm in pictures

Hundreds flee flooded homes as storms batter Western Cape

Man dies, apparently from electrocution