The battle for Rolihlahla Park
On Friday 22 August, Public Order Police battled residents of Rolihlahla Park, who fiercely resisted being evicted from a piece of private land off Sheffield Road in Philippi East. The City of Cape Town's Anti-Land Invasion Unit demolished dozens of shacks during the course of the morning. Police meanwhile provided cover, by firing rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas cannisters. Residents responded by stoning police. At least one protester was shot with live ammunition from, according to eyewitnesses, a police service pistol.
Daneel Knoetze
News | 25 August 2014
Welcoming a slight improvement for vulnerable workers
In an unequal society, and especially one suffering an economic crisis, the sellers of labour will always be disadvantaged. That is the simple reality of the system in which we live.
Terry Bell
Opinion | 25 August 2014
Police use live ammunition on shackdwellers
Police used live ammunition against unarmed shackdwellers who fiercely resisted eviction in Philippi East today. It was the most violent day of clashes between police, City of Cape Town Law Enforcement and shackdwellers since forcible evictions started off Symphony Way, in response to a land invasion, two weeks ago. At least one person was shot with live ammunition from, according to eyewitnesses, a police service pistol.
Daneel Knoetze
Feature | 22 August 2014
The week in activism
In this week in activism, the massacre at Lonmin mine is remembered two years on, relief in the courts for people removed from Saratoga Avenue by the City of Johannesburg, and anticipation mounts ahead of the release of the report by the commission into policing in Khayelitsha.
Thembela Ntongana
News | 22 August 2014
Confusion over Zimbabwe Special Dispensation Permit
Some holders of Zimbabwe Dispensation Permits that expire in 2015 do not understand that all permits are expiring on 31 December 2014, and that they too need to make an online application by 1 October 2014 for the new Zimbabwe Special Dispensation Permit (ZSP).
Tariro Washinyira
News | 22 August 2014
Angy Peter case frustrated by sick detective constable
Whispers of disbelief and frustration broke the silence in the courtroom as Judge Robert Henney announced that detective constable Stanford Muthian had called in sick for the second time in the last week. Muthian of Mfuleni police station headed the investigation into the kidnapping and murder of Rowan du Preez.
Barbara Maregele
News | 22 August 2014
City plans to sell off a string of properties
The City of Cape Town has announced it intends to sell off 65 municipal properties prompting a backlash from the hosts of a recent symposium on the Urban Land Question.
Daneel Knoetze
News | 22 August 2014
Cosatu holds conference on crime
On 22 August in the Cape Town City Hall, Cosatu convened an anti-crime conference in response to desperate pleas from communities asking for a more effective response to crime.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 22 August 2014
Silver lining for evicted farm tenants
There is a glimmer of hope for Andries Joostenberg and his family who, earlier this month, were evicted from the farm where they have lived for 50 years. As they near the prospect of becoming homeless again, a Stellenbosch attorney, Johan van der Merwe, has agreed to appeal the eviction order which put the family out on the street.
Daneel Knoetze
News | 21 August 2014