Human Rights

An interesting life: a chat with World War II veteran Simmy Lewis

Simmy Lewis is 96 and a South African veteran of World War II. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day, GroundUp spoke to Lewis about the war, his views on race and living with increasing frailty.

Introduction written by Nathan Geffen. Camera and video editing by Neo Sithole

News | 2 June 2014

City to fix filthy Khayelitsha toilets

The foul smell of stagnant sewage water and the sight of vandalised toilet seats covered in faeces are part of the daily lives of residents of PJS section in Khayelitsha who live close to the toilets.

Barbara Maregele

News | 30 May 2014

Angy Peter: Court hears closing arguments in trial-within-a-trial

The "dying declaration" allegedly made to police by Rowan du Preez, who was kidnapped and murdered, should be regarded as hearsay, the defence told the Cape High Court during closing arguments in the case against Angy Peter yesterday morning.

Barbara Maregele

News | 30 May 2014

As Khayelitsha inquiry closes, crucial police documents still not submitted

The police have been inefficient In Khayelitsha. This was the concession of police lawyers at the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry during its final public hearing yesterday.

Adam Armstrong

News | 30 May 2014

Sex workers’ advocacy group demands justice from leading art auction house

Stephan Welz of art auction house Strauss & Co has apologised for suggesting that murder charges against artist Zwelethu Mthethwa might boost sales of his work.

Joy Shan

News | 30 May 2014

Angy Peter trial: Court hears that evidence submitted by police was incorrect

The Angy Peter case resumed on Monday with a brief but significant submission from Nobuntu Sifuba, a member of the Street Committee in the area where Rowan Du Preez lived.

Adam Armstrong

News | 27 May 2014

City’s homeless brace for winter

It’s just before 7pm and the dining hall of the Haven Night Shelter in Green Point has filled with people--most waiting to get their first meal for the day.

Barbara Maregele

News | 27 May 2014

How South Africa is faring in the provision of free basic services

Many poor communities are still not getting adequate access to free basic services. This is despite the government’s set of policies aimed at helping municipalities to provide these services.

Koketso Moeti

News | 26 May 2014

Angy Peter trial: Was murder victim’s dying declaration likely?

State prosecutor, Advocate Phistus Pelesa, continued to cross-examine Dr Almin Steyn in the Angy Peter trial on Thursday.

Adam Armstrong

News | 23 May 2014

Why should South Africa decriminalise sex work?

Two recent events brought the question of decriminalisation of sex work into the public eye. The first was the leaking of a draft policy document developed by Amnesty International advocating for decriminalisation of both the buying and selling of sex.

Ayesha Krige and Marlise Richter

Opinion | 23 May 2014

Dudley Lee, who successfully sued government, has died

Dudley Lee died at the age of 68 on 21 May in Victoria Hospital. He successfully sued the Minister of Correctional Services because he became ill with tuberculosis (TB) while awaiting trial in Pollsmoor prison.

GroundUp Staff

News | 23 May 2014

Angy Peter trial: Dying declaration unlikely testifies surgeon

Dr Elmin Steyn testified in the Angy Peter trial yesterday that it was “extremely unlikely” that someone in Rowan du Preez’s condition would have been able to “have a long and complicated conversation” in which he identified his assailants.

Adam Armstrong

News | 22 May 2014

Khayelitsha creche hoping for flush toilets at last

The founder of Suphumelela Day Care in Khayelitsha is hoping city officials will provide portable toilets for the creche children, who have been using buckets for a year.

Barbara Maregele

News | 22 May 2014

Laws of physics suspended - prosecutor in Angy Peter trial

Forensic specialist Dr David Klatzow testified yesterday in the Angy Peter murder trial. The court is currently hearing a “trial-within-a-trial” which will determine whether it was possible for the murdered man, Rowan du Preez, to have made his dying declaration, as the state alleges.

Adam Armstrong

News | 21 May 2014

Behind the abortion adverts

We see them plastered over walls in town, on stop signs, outside schools and even advertised in local newspapers. But what is the real story behind the 1-hour abortion posters?

Ruth Atkinson

News | 21 May 2014

Angy Peter trial: parties contest whether victim could have spoken before his death

Yesterday in the murder trial of Angy Peter, a medical expert for the state, Dr Estie Meyer, testified that she saw “no anatomical reason” why Rowan du Preez could not have spoken to the police after he was assaulted.

Adam Armstrong

News | 20 May 2014