The Auditor-General’s (AG) report on the use of consultants and contractors demonstrates some very important facts. It shows that government is operating in an environment where financial and other controls are lacking. This not only creates an atmosphere in which corruption blossoms, but also allows for those contractors appointed in good faith to take chances and not perform their contractual obligations properly.
Daniel Hofmeyr and Zackie Achmat
Opinion | 30 January 2013
Broken streetlights in Khayelitsha are at the centre of a debate between civil society activists, Premier Helen Zille, Mayor Patricia De Lille and several councillors responsible for wards along Lansdowne Road.
Nokubonga Yawa, Mihle Pike and GroundUp Staff
News | 30 January 2013
I work every day in Khayelitsha. From time to time I am there at night, usually to drop somebody at home after a meeting or social event. In the daytime I am as good as any taxi driver at avoiding the potholes that litter the streets. At nights it’s not so simple.
Doron Isaacs
Opinion | 16 January 2013
It took less than five minutes for Western Cape High Court Deputy Judge President Jeanette Traverso, to hand down judgement that an application for an interdict by police minister Nathi Mthethwa, against the commission of inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha was dismissed with costs.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 15 January 2013
About 500 people gathered outside the Cape High Court last week Thursday opposing Minister of Police Nathi Mthetwa’s application to stop a Commission of Inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha from continuing.
Mary-Jane Matsolo
Brief | 19 December 2012
Tomorrow the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) will host a People’s Commission of Inquiry outside the Cape High Court as a protest in support of the Commission of Inquiry into Khayelitsha policing.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 12 December 2012
Netreg and Bonteheuwel residents say they are terrorised by the high crime and killings rates in their communities. Police investigations into crime are hard to carry out since no one is brave enough to act as a witness or provide evidence.
Tariro Washinyira
News | 12 December 2012
As a 21-year-old member of the Khayelitsha community, I firmly support the Commission of Inquiry into the Police in Khayelitsha.
Sifiso Zitwana
Opinion | 12 December 2012
It is well-known that those who report crimes to the police stations in Khayelitsha are not likely to receive a great deal of help. This leads to a situation where many victims of crime simply do not come forward to open a case.
Andiswa Hala
Opinion | 12 December 2012
Anele Yawa is a proportional representative councillor in Uitenhage. In August he spent nine days in prison. He alleges his only crime was to do his job.
Mary-Jane Matsolo
News | 5 December 2012
16 December will mark three years since Siyamthanda Mndayi, an Ocean View boy with Down’s syndrome went missing from his home. His distraught mother has not given up hope of finding him.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 28 November 2012
If you are arrested in South Africa, even if you are innocent, expect to spend months and maybe years in prison before being released. The law says that if you are arrested you should appear before a court within 48 hours or be released. The courts have also ruled that bail hearings are urgent. Yet the police, prosecutors, magistrates and judges often ignore these rights.
Mary-Jane Matsolo
News | 28 November 2012
The Commission of Inquiry into the allegations of police inefficiency in Khayelitsha is on hold pending the outcome of Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa's court action to stop the commission. But in his court papers Mthethwa has, perhaps unwittingly, included explosive documents which actually appear to strengthen the case for having a Commission of Inquiry.
GroundUp Editor
News | 14 November 2012
In December 2009 Thandokazi Njamela was smacked on the head with an unopened beer bottle by her friend's boyfriend. She lost consciousness and was taken to Khayelitsha's Site B Hospital.
GroundUp Staff
News | 14 November 2012
There are two Commissions of Inquiry underway in South Africa (SA) that involve the SA Police Service (SAPS), the Police Minister and Police Commissioner, that we should be interrogating, examining, monitoring, overseeing and following with equal vigour.
Fatima Hassan
Opinion | 14 November 2012
Last week, it was reported with a sense of accomplishment that 38 teachers have been struck off the roll since 2010 for sexual abuse of their learners. I am a lawyer currently working on six cases of sexual violence in schools in three provinces.
Nikki Stein
Opinion | 14 November 2012