Human Rights

Criminalising protest and dissent

A new report by SERI profiles a community protest in Lenasia, Gauteng, and concludes that the criminal justice system was "abused" in order to intimidate activists and protesters. A look at similar cases in Cape Town seem to support this finding.

Daneel Knoetze

Opinion | 18 September 2014

Global to local: the people’s rights to peace

Western Cape Network for Community Peace and Development (WCNCPD) will hold a Peace Day Event at the Gugulethu Sports Complex on Friday from 9am to 12pm.

Thembela Ntongana

Brief | 17 September 2014

People with HIV should be able to fight for their country

There is no reason people with HIV shouldn't be soldiers, says Tim Flack, who served in the navy and is the Western Cape representative for the South African National Defence Force Union.

Tim Flack

Opinion | 16 September 2014

SA activists and writers join worldwide reading in support of Edward Snowden

The Berlin Literary Festival's (BLF) “Liberty and Recognition for Edward Snowden” worldwide reading was supported by two events in South Africa at the AVA Gallery and Kalk Bay Bookshop (under the auspices of SA PEN) on Monday.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 9 September 2014

Protest against murder of sex workers

In the past two months, five sex workers have been murdered in Cape Town. Three of the victims were under 26. Advocacy organisations partly blame the continued criminalization of sex work.

Barbara Maregele

News | 8 September 2014

US judge rules against apartheid claim

A US court has ruled against the Khulumani Support Group in its 12-year legal battle to bring US corporations to book for aiding the apartheid government. But Khulumani will appeal against this ruling, says national director Marjorie Jobson.

Shandana Mufti

News | 4 September 2014

What the Khayelitsha commission of inquiry has recommended

The Khayelitsha commission of inquiry into policing has made many important recommendations to the National Minister of Police. Here is a summary.

Adam Armstrong

News | 26 August 2014

Highest crime areas have fewest cops - Khayelitsha commission

Police stations in the parts of Cape Town which bore the brunt of apartheid are the most seriously understaffed, the Commission of Inquiry into Policing in Khayelitsha found.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 26 August 2014

Hospital confirms Philippi protester had bullet wound

Tygerberg Hospital has confirmed that a man injured during clashes with Public Order Police in Philippi East on 22 August had sustained a bullet wound to his right leg.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 26 August 2014

Gay and not free in South Africa

A gay man from the DRC claims the Congolese community in South Africa will not rest until they kill him. Junior Miteo Kalonji, 34, wept hard as he talked about his life. GroundUp had to stop the interview three times when he broke down.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 19 August 2014

Marikana massacre remembered in city centre

About 50 members of several social movements marched on Parliament and the Cape Town police station today in memory of the 34 miners killed by police at Marikana two years ago.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 15 August 2014

Ehrenreich’s Facebook post “idiotic and against the traditions of Cosatu”

An eye for an eye and the whole world would be blind, the Mahatma famously said.

Brent Meersman

Opinion | 14 August 2014

Philippi eviction: Sheriff contradicts City’s JP Smith

The City of Cape Town's version of the evictions in Philippi East on 11 August has been contradicted by police and the SA Board of Sheriffs. The Board denies that any of its officials were involved in dozens of shack demolitions off Symphony Way in Philippi. The evictions were carried out by the City's Law Enforcement, police say.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 12 August 2014

Massive Cape Town march in solidarity with Gaza

Tens of thousands of people marched through Cape Town city centre this morning in solidarity with the people of Gaza, and opposing Israeli military action.

GroundUp Staff

News | 9 August 2014

Massive Cape Town march in solidarity with Gaza

Tens of thousands of people marched through Cape Town city centre this morning in solidarity with the people of Gaza, and opposing Israeli military action.

GroundUp Staff

News | 9 August 2014

Expropriate the suburbs, say activists

Tracts of private suburban land will have to be expropriated by the state at below market value if spatial apartheid in South African cities is to be reversed. The property clause in the Constitution can be interpreted in a revolutionary manner to allow for this. Expropriated land, subsidised by existing government property, should be used to provide housing for shackdwellers from the city fringe, so that informal settlements can be less dense and upgraded. These were the concluding opinions in a roundtable discussion on the Urban Land Question in the Cape Town CBD on 7 August.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 8 August 2014