Zimbabwean bystander sues cops for lost eye

A Zimbabwean man who lost an eye when police fired a rubber bullet towards him during the De Doorns farm worker protests is suing the South African Police Service (SAPS) for damages. 25 year old Passmore Mandhlaami, a Good Hope farm employee, said he was caught in the crossfire. He was not participating in the strike.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 19 December 2012

Nyanga woman is fighting to get her Eastern Cape family home back

52 year old Portia Mahlatshana from Nyanga is fighting to get her home back.

Tessa Gooding

News | 19 December 2012

SASSA wants single mother to pay back R25k

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) wants 38 year old Janice (not her real name) from Kewtown to pay back R25,760 in grants she received.

Margo Fortune

News | 19 December 2012

What the UK could learn from Cape Town’s civil society

Before I came to South Africa, I was warned how dangerous the place was. I was asked, ''Why do you think so many South Africans are emigrating to Australia'' and, ''Are you sure you really want to go there?'' I'm relieved this negativity didn't stop me. If you don't come to South Africa because of fear, you are missing out.

Tessa Gooding

Opinion | 19 December 2012

Khayelitsha police hold event for rape survivors

The Khayelitsha police stations held an event on 13 December to give Christmas presents to Soyisiso Nofemele's rape victims. He is currently serving eleven life sentences for raping twelve children, murdering one of them and abducting another. The victims are between two and nine years of age.

Mihle Pike

Brief | 19 December 2012

SJC hold commission outside Cape High Court in protest against minister’s court application

About 500 people gathered outside the Cape High Court last week Thursday opposing Minister of Police Nathi Mthetwa’s application to stop a Commission of Inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha from continuing.

Mary-Jane Matsolo

Brief | 19 December 2012

An alternative to more chaos and destruction?

The promises and the policies, the personalities elected, even the potential political
punch-ups at Mangaung are basically irrelevant.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 19 December 2012

A tribute to Arthur Chaskalson

This is a tribute by Advocate Geoff Budlender to the late Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson at a memorial service in Johannesburg City Hall on 5 December.

Geoff Budlender

Opinion | 18 December 2012

Holocaust denial is hateful, immoral and factually wrong

Holocaust denialism is hateful, immoral and factually wrong. It legitimises the taking of measures by individuals, organisations and governments that lead to the destruction of human dignity and life. This destruction of dignity and life is based on ideologies of hate and profit.

Zackie Achmat

Opinion | 14 December 2012

Nelson Mandela is going to die - it’s sad, but it’s ok

Madiba is in hospital. Spokespeople assure us he is doing well. That he is old, sick and likely to die soon are avoided or dealt with euphemistically.

Nathan Geffen, Editor GroundUp

Opinion | 12 December 2012

High crime rate in Netreg and Bonteheuwel scares the community

Netreg and Bonteheuwel residents say they are terrorised by the high crime and killings rates in their communities. Police investigations into crime are hard to carry out since no one is brave enough to act as a witness or provide evidence.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 12 December 2012

Professor Gary Maartens on public health in the Western Cape

Following GroundUp's report last week of the public meeting in Khayelitsha on health, HIV/AIDS and TB service delivery, we spoke to Professor Gary Maartens about public healthcare in the townships of the Western Cape.

Tessa Gooding

News | 12 December 2012

“Fact: Khayelitsha rocks” T-shirts going viral!

Madoda Dyantyi, 37, has created a brand that many people can’t wait to wear this summer. In September 2011 he started selling Che Guevara t-shirts and that’s where he got the idea of coming up with his own brand.

Nokubonga Yawa

News | 12 December 2012

Groups to protest in support of inquiry into police

Tomorrow the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) will host a People’s Commission of Inquiry outside the Cape High Court as a protest in support of the Commission of Inquiry into Khayelitsha policing.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 12 December 2012

Leather craftsman is still waiting for business permit after two years

Brian Makuyana is a leather craftsman who makes leather bags, belts, shoes and key holders. He is twenty five years old and originally from Zimbabwe.

Nokubonga Yawa

News | 12 December 2012

Brad Wexler talks about sacrifice and the ups and downs of making it in the football world

Brad Wexler is a 19 year-old midfielder who is turning professional.

Margo Fortune

News | 12 December 2012