Crime

Councillor spends nine days in prison for “doing his job”

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

Anger builds as mother searches for her son

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

Months in prison without a bail hearing

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 Khayelitsha Police

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

“People’s Commission” testimony exposes police failures

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

Understanding the two Commissions of Inquiry into the police

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

Turning our backs on girl learners

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

Showdown over police inquiry

On 22 August, in response to a call made in November 2011 from several social justice organisations, Premier Helen Zille established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged police inefficiency and a breakdown in relations between police and communities in Khayelitsha. The commission is being chaired by former Constitutional Court judge, Kate O'Regan and Advocate Vusi Pikoli.

Tessa Gooding

News | 7 November 2012

Is there really an investigation into police officer Andile Mtshiceka?

Months before Social Justice Coalition member Angy Peter was arrested for her alleged role in a vigilante murder, she had lodged a complaint of corruption against police officer Andile Mtshiceka.

Mary-Jane Matsolo and Nathan Geffen

News | 7 November 2012

Threats against Somali businesses must not be tolerated

Our lead story today is that local business organisations are mobilising against Somali shops in Khayelitsha.

GroundUp Editor

News | 7 November 2012

Zimbabwean lays complaint with police against Home Affairs official

A 25 years old asylum seeker lodged a complaint of bribery with the police against a Cape Town Foreshore Home Affairs official last week.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 24 October 2012

Grandmother tells about the tragedy of drug use for her grandson

Bulelwa Mbomela is in her 60s. She is the grandmother of Phumlani Mbomela who is 19 years old. Phumlani dropped out of school when he was in grade seven and he never went back.

Nokubonga Yawa

Brief | 24 October 2012

Vigilante killing in Mfuleni: Two leading SJC members arrested but deny involvement

On Sunday 14 October, two Social Justice Coalition (SJC) activists Angy Peter and Isaac Mbadu were arrested along with two other Mfuleni residents for the kidnap and murder of Siphiwo "Rowan" Mbevu.

Mary-Jane Matsolo and GroundUp Staff

News | 23 October 2012

Government formula milk sold for profit

Some spaza shop owners in Khayelitsha are selling Department of Health (DoH) formula milk that is marked "Not for resale". This milk is supposed to be given free to HIV-positive mothers to give to their babies instead of breast milk.

Mary-Jane Matsolo

News | 12 September 2012

Marinovich on Marikana and journalism

GroundUp interviewed investigative journalist Greg Marinovich, who has published shocking findings about the deaths of miners at Marikana.

Mara Kardas-Nelson

News | 4 September 2012

Appoinment of Commission of Inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha

Civil society organisations have welcomed the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry into the allegations of police inefficiency in Khayelitsha.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 22 August 2012