Human Rights

Activists to Mthethwa: “Who gave you the right to kill a sex worker?”

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

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

“Not enough money allocated to sanitation,” say SJC protesters

Yesterday, about 150 members of the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) marched to the civic centre. They demanded “a detailed account” of hundreds of submissions to the City of Cape Town on the 2015/16 budget.

Bernard Chiguvare

Brief | 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

Parents of pregnant students forced to spend the day at school gates

Parents of pregnant students at Fundokuhle Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg are spending the day at the school gates, on orders from the principal.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 27 May 2015

Slow Home Affairs prevents Zimbabweans from making ends meet

Zimbabweans whose business permit applications have been rejected are hoping that the decision will be reversed, but the Department of Home Affairs is dragging its heels.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 26 May 2015

When the state neglects property rights

Fridges, stoves, furniture, televisions and microwaves are just some of the goods that residents claim are taken or damaged during evictions. Shack building materials are taken too. But what exactly happens to these goods once they are taken away? And what does the law say?

Mary-Anne Gontsana

Feature | 22 May 2015

Why mining communities will take government to court

Mining companies and the government are ignoring the interests of the communities that should be benefiting from mining, writes the author. Now civil society organisations intend to take legal action.

Christopher Rutledge

Opinion | 21 May 2015

“After we treat them, they say you kwere kwere”

Burundian nurse Elvira Modesero was a victim of the xenophobic violence that took place in Kwazulu-Natal in April. She told her story to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). This is an edited and shortened transcript of her interview.

Elvira Modesero, as told to Doctors Without Borders

News | 20 May 2015

“This is what Pride should be!” - Gays and lesbians march through Khayelitsha

Several hundred people participated in the Khumbulani LGBTI Pride march in Khayelitsha on Saturday.

Pharie Sefali

Brief | 18 May 2015

Operation Fiela: Sweeping Dignity Aside

Just under a month ago today, South Africa was shocked by the images on the cover of the Sunday Times on 19 April 2015. The images depicted Emmanuel Sithole, a Mozambican man and breadwinner for his family, lying on his back amongst rubbish as he pleaded with three men bearing knives standing above him, moments before they fatally stabbed him in cold blood.

Lara Wallis

Opinion | 18 May 2015

Zambian High Court rejects state’s appeal against activist

The Lusaka High Court formally dismissed the charges against Zambian human rights activist Paul Kasonkomona on Friday.

Barbara Maregele

News | 15 May 2015

Gays and lesbians will march in Khayelitsha

This week the third Khumbulani LGBTI Pride is taking place in Khayelitsha and Cape Town city centre. The main event, a march, will be held on Saturday in Khayelitsha. It starts at 9:30am from OR Tambo Hall.

Pharie Sefali

News | 14 May 2015

“What is your business in Council?” - My experience trying to participate in the City of Cape Town’s budget

Every year the mayor calls for residents to participate in the budget process by making submissions on Cape Town's draft budget. Last year fewer than forty people wrote submissions and only 23 were from the public. This has been the trend for the last couple of years.

Axolile Notywala

Opinion | 14 May 2015

We want service delivery, say Marikana residents

Garbage is piling up in Marikana informal settlement. Residents, concerned about their health and the squalor in which they are living, are calling on the City of Cape Town to begin providing services.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 13 May 2015