Civil Society

The week in activism

This week in political activism we look at calls for help from Grahamstown, the plight of coal communities, a symposium on gender equality, and documenting the struggles of four informal settlements in South Africa.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 27 August 2014

Angy Peter trial: detective admits he did not investigate

Detective Constable Stanford Muthian acknowledged on Tuesday during the Angy Peter trial that he had not conducted his own investigation into the murder.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 27 August 2014

Angy Peter trial: investigator thought it sufficient to “rubber stamp” statements

None of the witnesses to murder victim Rowan Du Preez’s alleged deathbed statement were asked to swear that their statements were true, the investigating officer of the case told the court on 25 August.

Simone Haysom

News | 26 August 2014

Khayelitsha commission a “victory for justice” say organisations

The organisations that originally called for the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha have welcomed as a “victory for justice” the commission’s findings and recommendations.

Barbara Maregele

News | 26 August 2014

Marikana public violence accused appear in court

17 people appeared at Athlone Magistrate Court on 25 August on charges of public violence related to the Marikana informal settlement evictions last week. The accused faced charges ranging from stoning police vehicles and private cars to arson, including torching a car, setting alight a shop and looting.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 25 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

Crucial evidence missing from police docket

The handwritten notes made by the three police officers who claim they recorded Rowan du Preez’s dying declaration “were nowhere to be found” in the investigating docket.

Barbara Maregele

News | 21 August 2014

Angy Peter case: defence questions police docket

Defence attorney William King has questioned the authenticity of the police docket handed to the court in the trial of Angy Peter and others.

Barbara Maregele

News | 20 August 2014

Mfuleni constable too sick to testify in Peter case

The case against activist Angy Peter and four others including her husband was postponed on 14 August as the Mfuleni detective constable was “too sick” to testify.

Barbara Maregele

Brief | 15 August 2014