On Tuesday, the murder trial of artist Zwelethu Mthethwa finally began after numerous postponements. Mthethwa is accused of killing Nokuphila Kumalo, a sex worker, and kicking her with his booted feet. Mthethwa is pleading not guilty to the charge which has a minimum sentence of 15 years.
Ashleigh Furlong
News | 3 June 2015
Philippi has been struck by violence this past week. At least three people have died, including 68-year-old Karel Dilgee who was struck by a stone while driving. There have also been five attempted murders and two houses destroyed by fire. Several cars and at least one Golden Arrow bus have been set alight. Ten people have been arrested, charged with public violence. Residents from neighbouring areas, Marikana and Lower Crossroads, have been fighting with each other. What is causing the violence between these communities?
Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik and GroundUp Staff
News | 1 June 2015
On Monday the murder trial of renowned artist Zwelethu Mthethwa was postponed again in the Western Cape High Court. Mthethwa is accused of murdering Nokuphila Kumalo, 23, who was a sex worker in Woodstock, on 14 April 2013.
Ashleigh Furlong
News | 1 June 2015
Violence has erupted between residents of Lower Crossroads and the Marikana settlement in Philippi East. Today police shot rubber bullets and stun grenades at a group of protesters from Lower Crossroads apparently to prevent them attacking Marikana.
Nombulelo Damba
News | 29 May 2015
Protests over service delivery for the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East have turned violent. An ANC ward councillor’s house was set alight earlier today, allegedly by protesters from Marikana. Police have also opened a case of murder after a man died on the way to hospital after his car was stoned.
Nombulelo Damba
News | 28 May 2015
Some high school students in Nyanga are working hard to eliminate the stigma that Nyanga is most known for: its high crime rate. They are investing their free time in dancing.
Pharie Sefali
News | 27 May 2015
Cape Flats Concerned Residents (CFCR) protested in front of parliament yesterday morning and handed over a memorandum to the provincial and national government demanding better policing on the Cape Flats.
Armand Hough
Brief | 20 May 2015
Business owners in Langa township are fed up with load shedding. And residents complain that the rolling blackouts makes their neighbourhoods unsafe.
Pharie Sefali
News | 20 May 2015
The Bangladeshi owners of a shop were escorted out of Roodepan by heavily armed police officers last night. This happened after angry residents pelted the shop, Roodepan Mobile on Starling Street, with bricks and stones shortly after 7pm.
Douglas Mthukwane
News | 12 May 2015
Another home-owner has successfully challenged the unlawful transfer of their home, under the fraudulent Brusson Finance scheme, and an attempted eviction.
Mateenah Hunter
News | 12 May 2015
On Thursday, Social Justice Coalition activist Angy Peter escaped imprisonment and was given leave to appeal the sentencing.
Nombulelo Damba
News | 30 April 2015
Readers of a GroundUp story about a Khayelitsha crèche that was robbed last month have responded generously by donating over R10,000 to the facility.
Barbara Maregele
News | 30 April 2015
Four men have been charged with robbing two Ethiopian nationals in Pietermaritzburg.
Ntombi Mbomvu
News | 28 April 2015
Rosina Cloete claims that her husband, 50 year old Colin Cloete, was killed by an Ashton farmer while picking tomatoes and is determined to make sure justice is done.
Barbara Maregele
News | 28 April 2015
South Africa is often branded as a country with a high incarceration rate. In certain respects, this is true. For with 290 people per 100,000 imprisoned, it has the highest incarceration rate in Africa. But there is much more to prison population rates than a national head count of bodies behind bars.
Clare Ballard
Opinion | 22 April 2015
At least three Golden Arrow buses and a delivery vehicle were set alight in Nyanga, apparently by taxi drivers who are demanding that the City Metro Police return their cars that were impounded yesterday.
Nombulelo Damba
News | 21 April 2015