Civil Society

SA activists and writers join worldwide reading in support of Edward Snowden

The Berlin Literary Festival's (BLF) “Liberty and Recognition for Edward Snowden” worldwide reading was supported by two events in South Africa at the AVA Gallery and Kalk Bay Bookshop (under the auspices of SA PEN) on Monday.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 9 September 2014

Protest against murder of sex workers

In the past two months, five sex workers have been murdered in Cape Town. Three of the victims were under 26. Advocacy organisations partly blame the continued criminalization of sex work.

Barbara Maregele

News | 8 September 2014

Angy Peter trial: case finally wraps up

Defence advocate William King argued that conflicting testimonies of key state witnesses and the “deliberate” interference from the police constituted proof of his client’s innocence.

Barbara Maregele

News | 5 September 2014

Crime summit for Khayelitsha needed, say organisations

In a bid to tackle the many police “inefficiencies” highlighted by scores of residents in the Khayelitsha commission of inquiry report, community organisations plan to host a joint crime summit with police.

Barbara Maregele

News | 5 September 2014

A week in activism

This week in political activism we look at Sonke Gender Justice’s call for government to take urgent action on hate crime, charges laid by TAC against senior health officials in Bloemfontein, and the launch of an urgent intervention on behalf of Marikana residents.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 4 September 2014

US judge rules against apartheid claim

A US court has ruled against the Khulumani Support Group in its 12-year legal battle to bring US corporations to book for aiding the apartheid government. But Khulumani will appeal against this ruling, says national director Marjorie Jobson.

Shandana Mufti

News | 4 September 2014

The Warongx of Khayelitsha

Despite the positive role Khayelitsha band Warongx and their Khayelitsha Music Academy play in the community, official and formal support for them is largely absent.

Nicholas Ashby

News | 4 September 2014

Angy Peter: state probe was biased, says defence

The police investigation into the murder of Rowan du Preez was biased, the defence advocate in the Angy Peter trial has argued.

Johnnie Isaac and Barbara Maregele

News | 3 September 2014

Angy Peter trial: judge wants police to explain mistakes

Police statements to the media after the arrest of Social Justice Coalition activists came under the spotlight in the Angy Peter trial today.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 28 August 2014

The week in activism

This week in political activism we look at calls for help from Grahamstown, the plight of coal communities, a symposium on gender equality, and documenting the struggles of four informal settlements in South Africa.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 27 August 2014

Angy Peter trial: detective admits he did not investigate

Detective Constable Stanford Muthian acknowledged on Tuesday during the Angy Peter trial that he had not conducted his own investigation into the murder.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 27 August 2014

Angy Peter trial: investigator thought it sufficient to “rubber stamp” statements

None of the witnesses to murder victim Rowan Du Preez’s alleged deathbed statement were asked to swear that their statements were true, the investigating officer of the case told the court on 25 August.

Simone Haysom

News | 26 August 2014

Khayelitsha commission a “victory for justice” say organisations

The organisations that originally called for the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha have welcomed as a “victory for justice” the commission’s findings and recommendations.

Barbara Maregele

News | 26 August 2014

Marikana public violence accused appear in court

17 people appeared at Athlone Magistrate Court on 25 August on charges of public violence related to the Marikana informal settlement evictions last week. The accused faced charges ranging from stoning police vehicles and private cars to arson, including torching a car, setting alight a shop and looting.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 25 August 2014

Angy Peter case frustrated by sick detective constable

Whispers of disbelief and frustration broke the silence in the courtroom as Judge Robert Henney announced that detective constable Stanford Muthian had called in sick for the second time in the last week. Muthian of Mfuleni police station headed the investigation into the kidnapping and murder of Rowan du Preez.

Barbara Maregele

News | 22 August 2014

Crucial evidence missing from police docket

The handwritten notes made by the three police officers who claim they recorded Rowan du Preez’s dying declaration “were nowhere to be found” in the investigating docket.

Barbara Maregele

News | 21 August 2014