News

Angy Peter cross examined in court

State prosecutor Phistus Pelesa cross-examined Angy Peter on 23 June at the Western Cape High Court seeking to clarify the order of events leading up to the killing of Rowan Du Preez.

Lara Sokoloff

News | 24 June 2014

Athlone players need funds to reach Baseball World Cup

Of the eight players that have been selected from the Western Province team to showcase their baseball skills internationally, two players, who play for the Athlone As baseball team, may see their dream of playing in an international event shattered.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 23 June 2014

Dust unsettles mining community

Every day at 4pm the small community of Pullenshope in Hendrina is shaken by a loud explosion, earth-shaking tremors and clouds of dust. Situated less than a kilometre from the Eskom-owned Hendrina Power Station, residents say respiratory illnesses are on the rise.

Barbara Maregele

News | 23 June 2014

Confess or else! Threat in Angy Peter trial

Dustin Kramer, Deputy General Secretary of the Social Justice Coalition (SJC), says he has received a threatening SMS, demanding that he gets Angy Peter and Isaac Mbadu to confess to the murder of Rowan du Preez.

GroundUp Staff

News | 20 June 2014

Nyanga gangster puts the blame on his family

“I was not born a gangster, but I will die one. This is not a choice, but it’s because of my circumstances. I want to change, but I can’t. I do not know what to change to and how,” says gangster.

Pharie Sefali

News | 20 June 2014

Family of 13-year-old take legal steps to compel SAPS

The Makalakata family is concerned that a month after the death of their daughter, Tariro, they have not received the post-mortem results and there is no progress on the case.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 20 June 2014

Angy Peter defence say it is a “political case”

Angy Peter continued giving evidence in her defence as the trial continued on 19 June. She told the court that after she was arrested for the murder and kidnapping of Rowan Du Preez in October 2012, she was arrested three more times on other murder and kidnapping charges. None of these charges were ever brought to trial.

Lara Sokoloff

News | 20 June 2014

Farm workers claim right to strike

Robertson fruit farm workers have taken their employer to Labour Court this week to fight for their right to strike and to get their jobs back after being dismissed more than a year ago.

Yazeed Kamaldien

News | 20 June 2014

Metrorail strike looms

Thousands of Western Cape Metrorail commuters could be left stranded following an announcement of a strike pending by the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 20 June 2014

Another winter after 22 years waiting for a house

“I doubt that I will get my house while I am still alive”, says wheelchair-bound Mbuyiselo Vena who has been on a waiting list for a house since 1992. But the City of Cape Town says Vena no longer wants his house built via the Iqhayiyalethu project, and that he needs to join a different housing project.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 19 June 2014

Angy Peter application to have case thrown out unsuccessful

Advocate William King for the defence applied under Section 174 of the Criminal Justice Act to have the case against Angie Peter quashed. The section allows for a case to be discharged if after the prosecution has outlined its case, there is a lack of evidence. But on 18 June the application was dismissed.

Adam Armstrong

News | 19 June 2014

MyCiTi bus soon for Khayelitsha - Mitchell’s Plain

After a six-month delay, the first MyCiTi buses serving Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain are scheduled to set out for the Cape Town Civic Centre at 5:30am on July 5. This will launch stage one of the N2 Express Line.

Joy Shan

News | 19 June 2014

Mining town residents voice health concerns

Polluted water, shattered windows and cracked walls were among the concerns voiced by Middelburg residents during a workshop hosted by the Centre for Environmental Rights on 18 June.

Barbara Maregele

News | 19 June 2014

Khayelitsha Film Festival a “great basis to grow from”

The second day of the first Khayelitsha film festival at the Khayelitsha’s Hubspace, fragrant with freshly popped corn, was attended by members of MOSAIC, Equal Education, Treatment Action Campaign, and Social Justice Coalition.

Katy Osborn

News | 18 June 2014

The environmental legacy of mining on the Mpumalanga Highveld

The pungent smell of burning coal as one flies over mining plants and power stations in close proximity to each other on the Mpumalanga Highveld area is testimony to the dangerous effects these industries have had on the people who live in nearby communities.

Barbara Maregele

News | 18 June 2014

Zimbabwean man sues SAPS

A 39-year-old Zimbabwean man, Samson Chifamba, is suing the South African Police Service (SAPS) for R300,000 in damages after an assault at his house at Asanda Village in Strand in January.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 18 June 2014