Housing

Lwandle one year later: still no resolution

On 2 and 3 June a year ago the residents of Lwandle Strand were evicted from the SANRAL-owned land that they were occupying. Besides losing their homes, many also lost their belongings. Yesterday, the evicted residents of Lwandle protested despite heavy rains, demanding to be listened to about their problems.

Pharie Sefali

News | 3 June 2015

Imizamo Yethu residents brace for cold winds and heavy rains

Richard Ngcongolo is one of thousands of informal settlement residents across Cape Town whose homes are left waterlogged by heavy rainfall during the winter months. Ngcongolo, a resident of Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay, huddles around a small paraffin heater while three large plastic buckets fill with water dripping through the roof of his two-room shack.

Barbara Maregele

News | 3 June 2015

Philippi: What’s behind the violence?

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

Residents clash in Philippi

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

Marikana: Commuter killed and councillor’s house burnt down

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

City chooses not to invest in informal settlements

The City of Cape Town says infrastructure for water and sanitation cannot be installed in 82% of informal settlements because the land is not suitable. Yet the City’s own data tells a different story, writes Dustin Kramer.

Dustin Kramer

Opinion | 28 May 2015

Blikkiesdorp residents accuse ACSA and City of deciding their future without them

It has taken eight months for the residents of Blikkiesdorp to be given access to an agreement between the City of Cape Town and Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). The agreement outlines ACSA’s plans to purchase the land on which the Blikkiesdorp residents are currently residing and rehouse them.

Ashleigh Furlong

News | 28 May 2015

“It’s not a life I would wish on anyone, but this is home to us”

A group of homeless people who live under the bridge behind the Castle of Good Hope have over the past few months gathered funds to buy small tents in a bid to fight off the winter chill.

Barbara Maregele

Feature | 27 May 2015

Fatal shack fire shatters a Khayelitsha family

Four young cousins died in a shack fire in Golishe Crescent, U-Section, Site B, Khayelitsha on Monday night.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 26 May 2015