News

Gay rights doctor narrowly avoids deportation to Uganda - Home Affairs accused of contempt of court

Release Paul Nsubuga Semugoma. That was the essence of a court order against the Minister of Home Affairs yesterday. Yet, Home Affairs proceeded to attempt to deport him after the court order was made. As of last night he was reportedly still in custody.

GroundUp Staff

News | 20 February 2014

Masello Motana and the politics of personality

A year ago, Masello Motana introduced us to Cyrilina Ramaposer, a rich diva with political and business ambitions. Now she is back as Julia Malema, a lady with a liking for pink dresses, flaxen weaves and pseudo-revolutionary talk.

Sibusiso Tshabalala

News | 20 February 2014

Three murders in one night - “Doubling Khayelitsha cops won’t be enough.”

Khayelitsha police officers had to deal with three murders in one night, the inquiry into policing heard today.

Adam Armstrong

News | 19 February 2014

The President’s Cabinet

News | 19 February 2014

The week in activism

This week we have reports on Abahlali baseMjondolo and the Phillipi settlement named after Marikana, a new book by SERI, Greenpeace and fracking and facts and fibs in the President’s state of the nation speech as explained by Africa Check. Also, the SJC and others have published a report on the Khayelitsha Inquiry into policing.

Compiled by Brent Meersman

News | 19 February 2014

Gugulethu women’s marimba goes national

A group of five Gugulethu women studying at UCT are hitting the big time with their marimba music.

Pharie Sefali

News | 19 February 2014

Last ditch battle for a famous black choral music school, Simon Estes High

Simon Estes Music High School in Wynberg, which was closed down on the first day of term, is fighting a last-ditch battle to survive.

Pharie Sefali

News | 19 February 2014

How to hold provincial government accountable

The 2014 national and provincial elections are around the corner. You will have the chance to vote for the national assembly and your provincial legislature. What is a provincial legislature and how does it work? In this sequel to our article on holding local government accountable, Fergus Turner explains.

Fergus Turner

News | 19 February 2014

Justice: A Personal Account

Constitutional Court judge Edwin Cameron has published a new book, Justice: A Personal Account. It is a forceful defence of the rule of law and South Africa's Constitution.

Edwin Cameron

News | 18 February 2014

Khayelitsha police overburdened says “honest cop”

Brigadier Zithulele Moses Dladla dealt with only three murders the last year he was stationed at Wynberg Police Station. When he was subsequently transferred to Khayelitsha Police Station, he saw four murders in his first weekend.

Adam Armstrong

News | 18 February 2014

Station Commander’s job comes under fire at the Khayelitsha Commission

Advocate Peter Hathorn has said his clients will recommend that Colonel Michael Reitz be removed from his post as the Lingelethu West Station Commander in Khayelitsha.

Adam Armstrong

News | 17 February 2014

Rights organisations contest reasons for Home Affairs directive

Director General of Home Affairs, Mkuseli Apleni, has given reasons why no new asylum seekers will be accepted at the Refugee Reception Office (RRO) in Cape Town.

Tariro Washinyira and GroundUp staff

News | 14 February 2014

Are SAPS top brass shifting blame to station commanders?

Colonel Michael Reitz, station commander of Lingelethu West, one of Khayelitsha’s three police stations took the stand at the inquiry into policing yesterday. He was the first witness for SAPS to give testimony.

Adam Armstrong

News | 14 February 2014

The week in political activism

This week we have reports on COSATU's allegations against Sun City, an Equal Education seminar on Marikana and a new digital application from Corruption Watch.

Compiled by Brent Meersman

News | 13 February 2014

Choir group in Langa reduces unemployment

Ezethu (“Ours”) is an indigenous choir ensemble that preserves and promotes Xhosa culture by celebrating traditional music. Its members, who come from Gugulethu and Langa, bring ceremonial music to younger generations.

Nika Soon-Shiong

News | 13 February 2014

Achmat calls for ceremony for police to apologise

The police should hold a formal ceremony to apologise to some of the victims of poor policing in Khayelitsha, Zackie Achmat has suggested.

Adam Armstrong

News | 13 February 2014