Gangsters rob fire victims
After four nights sleeping in the open, families in Military Heights informal settlement near Lavender Hill have started rebuilding the homes destroyed by a fire last weekend. Some were robbed by gangsters as they tried to salvage their belongings after the fire.
Siyavuya Khaya
Brief | 10 December 2015
After the De Waal Drive threats, tenants in Plumstead fear for the future
The plight of the De Waal Drive families threatened with removal by the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements struck a chord with many Capetonians. But the same process is happening, away from public scrutiny, in other parts of the city, writes Daneel Knoetze of Ndifuna Ukwazi.
Analysis | 10 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
Bellville South is bursting at the seams
Mercia Kleinsmith has been the councillor of Ward 9, or Bellville South, since 2009. She won a by-election following the death of her husband Glen, the day after the DA won the province in April that year. Glen had been hailed in the press as the city’s “leading drugbuster”.
Steve Kretzmann
Feature | 9 December 2015
Butterworth’s R9 million swimming pool is still empty after seven years
Seven years after building started, Butterworth’s R9 million swimming pool is still not finished.
News | 9 December 2015
Hope for Mtubatuba residents, after years of complaints
After years of complaining about water, electricity, sanitation, and roads, residents of KwaMsane in KwaZulu Natal say they got the attention of the authorities after their protest last month.
Ntombi Mbomvu
News | 9 December 2015
Students in state scheme get certificates for courses they didn’t complete
The National Rural Youth Service Corps (Narysec), set up to train unemployed young people in rural areas, seems to be in disarray in the Eastern Cape, where some students have given up hope of graduating while others say they have been given certificates for courses they did not complete.
Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik and GroundUp staff
Feature | 8 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