EFF and community members march for better services at Khayelitsha hospital
Community and EFF members threaten to shutdown Khayelitsha District Hospital if the service it provides does not improve.
Regions
Unions and communities march against water tariff increases in Cape Town
Unions and communities marched against the steep tariff increases that the City of Cape Town is proposing.
SAFTU strikes for better working conditions
In a show of power, about 6,000 workers and community members in Cape Town marched against the proposed minimum wage and labour law amendments.
Cape Town Refugee Centre remains closed
Organisations that work with refugees and asylum seekers in Cape Town are concerned that the Refugee Centre remains closed despite a court ruling that it be opened.
A shift in power at Glebelands Hostel (part 1)
In December 2017 Glebelands rogue cop, the detective from Durban Central SAPS, Sgt Bhekukwazi Mdweshu and 6 other alleged hitmen were arrested and charged with 19 counts of murder, attempted murder, possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition as well us under the Riotous Assemblies Act for conspiring to eliminate Glebelands residents. They have become known as the Glebelands 7. Two of the 7 are also charged with other Glebelands murder cases, of which one was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a Glebelands grandmother in 2017. Bail applications for the remaining 5 are ongoing.
Bus drivers on strike for better working conditions
Bus drivers went on a national strike demanding better working conditions that include salary increases, insourcing and medical aid benefits for the drivers.
Moerane Commission: Will the truth become a casualty of political expediency?
The Moerane Commission concluded its work on 18 March and has until the end of April to submit its report and recommendations to the Premier, Willies Mchunu. After that it will be tabled for discussion at provincial level, go back to the Commission for final amendments, and only after that, it might be made public. The Premier’s office initially stated that it would not release the report, then it stated that “no decision not to release the report has been made” following a public outcry.
Zuma supporters’ free ride on the eThekwini gravy train
Recently staff at the eThekwini Municipality bus depots reported that around 80% of the service had been rerouted – free of charge (ie at ratepayers expense) – to transport Jacob Zuma’s supporters to his latest court appearance. This left commuters stranded all over Durban. It was especially hard for poor people who had already charged their prepaid Muvo cards and were forced to suddenly find extra cash for alternative transport.
Cape Town march against proposed water tariffs
During her budget speech in March, Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille announced a rise in water tariffs to deal with the water crisis in Cape Town. With Day Zero being moved to next year, the City is adamant that the tariffs will ensure that they deliver the services at the required level.
Unions and civil society march against minimum wage and labour law amendments
Trade unions and community activists came out against the implementation of the minimum wage and the proposed labour law amendments.
Water restrictions continue in Queenstown despite full dams
Despite the recent statistics about dam levels in the area, the Chris Hani District Municipality says that Bonkolo dam is at 10% and this is the reason for water cut-offs in Queenstown. Recent dam statistics from the Department of Water and Sanitation state that Waterdown dam which is about 33km from Queenstown and Xonxa dam which is 22km away are at 83,4% and 100,9% respectively.
Land expropriation: identifying who benefits crucial for success
Speaking at a public seminar organised by PLAAS, Professor Ruth Hall from the University of the Western Cape argued that there is no need to change the Constitution to allow for expropriation of land without compensation.
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