Crime

Malawian man paralysed after brutal assault

A Malawian man, Simon Phiri, 44, was attacked by three robbers in Masiphumelele, Fish Hoek in April 2013, on his way home from the shopping mall. The robbers searched his pockets, took his phone and money, then struck him with a golf stick on the head.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 13 August 2013

“The police & I”: a sex worker’s story

Richard is a 38-year-old, gay male sex worker. He was born in East London and has been based in Cape Town since 1999. He has been in “the business” (the sex work industry) for over 20 years.

Jonathan Dockney

News | 6 August 2013

Will there be justice for Athenkosi’s killers?

“I am scared. The criminal who murdered my brother is still roaming the streets,” Nonkosi Nteyi told GroundUp, obviously distressed. “Worse, he is asking people for descriptions of each of my family members. Does he want to kill us as well?”

Tariro Washinyira

News | 31 July 2013

Constitutional Court to hear if Khayelitsha police inquiry should proceed

Next month, the Constitutional Court will hear the appeal by Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa after his application for an interdict to stop the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into policing in Khayelitsha was unsuccessful.The case is set for 6 August.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 30 July 2013

Jewish security organisation plays fast and loose with law

"He had me around the neck and he was huge so I had very little capacity to do anything much… I fell down and we went down the stairs and then we got into this car park …"

Yael Even Or

News | 17 July 2013

Residents of Mandalay worried about increase in burglaries

A series of robberies and break-ins has been occurring in Mandalay, a small residential area near Mitchell’s Plain. Initially a quiet area, Mandalay is currently a burglary hub.

Thandile Majivolo

News | 17 July 2013

How the police are failing rape survivors in Khayelitsha

There are severe problems with the way Khayelitsha police are handling rape cases explains Camila Osorio.

Camila Osorio

Feature | 10 July 2013

Homicidal kid gangsters of Nyanga East

Nyanga has one of the highest murder rates in the country. We interviewed several teenage gangsters who brag about their kills.

Pharie Sefali

News | 3 July 2013

Private Security: a law unto themselves?

The private security industry in South Africa is one of the largest in the world, with active registered security guards outnumbering police by almost three to one and eight security companies for every police station.

Craig Oosthuizen

Opinion | 26 June 2013

Petition calls for more time to comment on police green paper

Last Friday, 27 civil society organizations signed a letter directed at Ms Jenni Irish-Qhobosheane, of the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service. The organisations requested more time to comment on the Green Paper on Policing that Ms Irish-Qhobosheane published last week.

Camila Osorio

News | 25 June 2013

Immigrants accuse cops of abuse as their businesses are destroyed

Immigrants who protested outside Kraaifontein Police station on Thursday 20 June claim that police officers assigned to the Wallacedene area yelled offensive statements at them. They also gave harrowing accounts of how they lost their livelihoods.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 25 June 2013

Achmat to police: Where are the documents for firearms register?

Zackie Achmat, director of Ndifuna Ukwazi, has sent an access to information request to the South African Police Service asking for documents related to an IT project that has not been completed.

Edirin Okoloko

News | 5 June 2013

Recent survey reveals youth hardships

South Africa devotes significant resources to youth development, with 20% of the national government's budget going towards education alone. However, a recent survey reveals that the youth are being increasingly forced to deal with a range of issues such as substance abuse, exposure to crime and violence, inequality and poverty. As a consequence, mental and behavioural issues are becoming more and more evident among learners.

Craig Oosthuizen

Opinion | 15 May 2013

Soccer coach rapes 13-year old boy in Khayelitsha

A 13-year old boy was raped by a community soccer coach last Sunday in TR Section, Khayelitsha.

Mary-Jane Matsolo

News | 9 May 2013

City says violence prevention efforts working, but activists sceptical

In 2006, to tackle crime in Khayelitsha, the City of Cape Town launched the Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading (VPUU) project.

Fergus Turner and GroundUp Staff

News | 17 April 2013

Criminal record for possession of dagga?

Gamat Abrahams of Athlone was one of seven men in their 20s arrested for possession of dagga on Friday night. They were sitting on the paving outside their homes when the police raided.

Margo Fortune

Brief | 27 March 2013