Has the president used the defence force legally?

To deploy the army is an exceptional measure. It implies that the police force is unable to control a situation that threatens a country’s security and well-being.

Lara Wallis

Analysis | 4 June 2015

Lwandle one year later: still no resolution

On 2 and 3 June a year ago the residents of Lwandle Strand were evicted from the SANRAL-owned land that they were occupying. Besides losing their homes, many also lost their belongings. Yesterday, the evicted residents of Lwandle protested despite heavy rains, demanding to be listened to about their problems.

Pharie Sefali

News | 3 June 2015

Artist Zwelethu Mthethwa up for murder: trial begins

On Tuesday, the murder trial of artist Zwelethu Mthethwa finally began after numerous postponements. Mthethwa is accused of killing Nokuphila Kumalo, a sex worker, and kicking her with his booted feet. Mthethwa is pleading not guilty to the charge which has a minimum sentence of 15 years.

Ashleigh Furlong

News | 3 June 2015

Mfuleni school kids taught in a shack

As Cape Town weather gets worse, some Grade R learners from Mfuleni are being taught in a cold leaking shack with just one toilet, because there is insufficient space for them in a proper school.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 3 June 2015

Masiphumelele school hopes for new hall

With winter underway, Ukanyo Primary School can no longer hold its parent-teacher meetings in the open. But the school has no hall, and no immediate prospect of getting one, says principal Phuthumile Michael Tyhali.

Bernard Chiguvare

Brief | 3 June 2015

Imizamo Yethu residents brace for cold winds and heavy rains

Richard Ngcongolo is one of thousands of informal settlement residents across Cape Town whose homes are left waterlogged by heavy rainfall during the winter months. Ngcongolo, a resident of Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay, huddles around a small paraffin heater while three large plastic buckets fill with water dripping through the roof of his two-room shack.

Barbara Maregele

News | 3 June 2015

Battling to be accepted in South Africa

Being accepted in South Africa is hard for foreigners, say Ethiopians living in Cape Town.

Christine Ayela

News | 2 June 2015

Urgent need to decriminalise sex work

If sex work was accepted as legitimate and legalised, much of the violence and abuse that sex workers face would be eliminated.

Savannah Russo. Photographs by Eric Miller.

Opinion | 2 June 2015

Philippi: What’s behind the violence?

Philippi has been struck by violence this past week. At least three people have died, including 68-year-old Karel Dilgee who was struck by a stone while driving. There have also been five attempted murders and two houses destroyed by fire. Several cars and at least one Golden Arrow bus have been set alight. Ten people have been arrested, charged with public violence. Residents from neighbouring areas, Marikana and Lower Crossroads, have been fighting with each other. What is causing the violence between these communities?

Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik and GroundUp Staff

News | 1 June 2015