One hundred years of servitude in Brazil
Sexagenarian Augusto Miranda Brasão has been cutting piassava since the age of 12 to pay off debts to his bosses. This palm tree, with coarse […]
Crime
Minister intervenes in Mthatha taxi violence
Police minister, Bheki Cele has intervened in the taxi violence in Mthatha that has claimed more than 60 people’s lives since 2016 by suspending major routes indefinitely, until the terms of a peace accord brokered between the warring taxi associations are respected.
Ngcobo community holds a cleansing ceremony
A cleansing ceremony was held over the weekend to help the community heal after the murders at Ngcobo police station and the police’s retaliatory assault on the Seven Angels Ministry.
Moerane Commission update: SAPS lies
Provincial SAPS leadership testified at the Moerane Commission last week. Evidence leader, Adv Manyathi presented them with 31pages of witnesses’ allegations against them ranging from negligence to actual criminal involvement in a number of killings in KZN. One of the former Umlazi Cluster Commanders, Maj Gen Chiliza lied under oath. He wasn’t alone; the other 5 senior commanders also backed him, but Chiliza’s testimony was particularly shocking. He claimed to be unaware that Sipho Ndovela and many of the other Glebelands leaders killed had been receiving threats and were in danger. I have evidence in the form of emails, screenshots of Whatsapp conversations etc that prove he lied.
Poor equipping of Ngcobo police blamed for slaughter
Police and policing resources are biased in favour of urban precincts and the defense of property as is evident in the recent killing of five cops at Engcobo police station.
Memorial service of the five cops held in Engcobo
A memorial service was held on Tuesday for police officers killed at the Engcobo Police Station in the Eastern Cape last week. Five officers and a retired soldier were killed when a gang attacked the station. Suspects linked to a cult in a nearby village were arrested in a raid on their church.
Connecting the dots between corrupt police leadership and drug abuse
On 17 January, Police Minister Fikile Mbalula and the new National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khehla Sithole announced crime intelligence boss, Richard Mdluli, had finally been relieved of his duties. Since his suspension seven years ago, he has reportedly earned around R8-million and persistently meddled in affairs of the state. He will retire with full benefits and apparent impunity for his role in pillaging a Crime Intelligence secret slush fund. Mdluli has been widely blamed for the downfall of, amongst others, the former Hawks head Anwar Dramat, former NPA prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach, and Gauteng corruption-buster, former Major General Shadrack Sibiya. But he has thousands of lesser-known victims – collateral damage along the road to ‘a better life’ for some.
Reconciliation, a difficult journey for the Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Yellowknife is a Canadian city north of the 60th parallel. It is a Saturday in November and the NWT (Northwest Territories) Wellness Society is holding […]
R1,5 million project ends in shambles in Motherwell
It is not unsual for municipalities and other spheres of government to implement projects without making sure that the beneficiaries have access to training, markets and most importantly that the project is not the only “poverty alleviation” measure in the community. The end result for such projects is that they end in shambles.
Police corruption continues unabated in Glebeland Hostel
The criminal justice system is quick to blame its abysmal conviction rate of Glebelands suspects on reluctant witnesses. While this is indeed a contributing factor – and for good reason – the whole story is not being told.
Community members take the law into their own hands
Five days after violent protests, Krugersdorp City Centre looks like a war zone. The situation is still tense and people are scared to talk to strangers especially those who have cameras hanging on their necks.
100 Dead but no end in sight at Glebelands (Part 2)
Since the killing began in March 2014, 100 people have died in Glebelands Hostel-related violence – either violently from hitmen’s bullets; or more slowly, from stress-induced illnesses caused by the fear of living daily in the shadow death. With a death toll now reaching almost four times the number of people killed at Marikana – which evoked worldwide outrage, political humiliation, commissions of inquiry and support groups – it is instructive to reflect on the state and society’s response to Glebelands’ ongoing slaughter.
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