Local government

Snags as Masiphumelele rebuilds after fire

It has been almost two weeks since a fire burnt down over a 1,000 homes in Masiphumelele’s Section E and Section D. While efforts are underway to rebuild, many residents are encountering snags.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 11 December 2015

Dispute over who represents residents of informal settlement

The City of Cape Town is negotiating with a private owner to buy land in Klipheuwel and install services for families living in the informal settlement.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 10 December 2015

Pietermaritzburg municipal workers demand permanent jobs

About a hundred municipality workers on temporary contracts for the Msunduzi municipality, which includes Pietermaritzburg, downed their tools and protested outside the KaMagwayi depo yesterday. They are demanding permanent positions.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 8 December 2015

City commits to upgrading Endlovini

Residents of Endlovini — who protested three weeks ago at what they described as the empty promises of ward councillor Anele Gabuza and the City of Cape Town — might have their demands met.

Siyavuya Khaya

Brief | 7 December 2015

Who is responsible for Blikkiesdorp?

Who is responsible for Blikkiesdorp? This question has been coming up in response to work in the community by the Open Democracy Advice Centre.

Alison Tilley

Opinion | 30 November 2015

Can Dunoon overcome its housing problems?

In a dimly-lit room, about 50 people wait to have proof-of-residence documents authorised by Dunoon ward councillor Lubabalo Makeleni.

Steve Kretzmann

Feature | 27 November 2015

Twitter war between activists and City over Wolwerivier

A spat erupted on Twitter this week when Ndifuna Ukwazi (NU) director Zackie Achmat accused City of Cape Town’s Benedicta van Minnen of being ‘a liar’ and ‘one who holds black people in contempt’.

Barbara Maregele

News | 27 November 2015

Residents in Khayelitsha take on Big Five

Tensions are high in Isiqalo informal settlement after violent clashes between residents and former community leaders who have refused to step down.

Siyavuya Khaya

News | 25 November 2015

We will close the N2, threaten fed-up residents

More than 1,000 residents of KwaMsane in Mtubatuba, KZN, took to the street last week to demand services. After years of fruitless complaints and meetings, the protesters plan to close the N2 on Thursday.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 23 November 2015