Mass evictions from social housing complex
About 30 families in Steenberg were evicted from their homes in Steenvilla complex on Wednesday. Steenvilla is the largest social housing complex in Cape Town with over 700 units.
Regions
Gender-based violence on the rise in the Western Cape
In a meeting with various organisations the Commission for Gender Equality revealed that incest, parents forcing children into marriage, female farm workers sleeping with male supervisors to secure work, and child trafficking for sex work is rife in the Western Cape.
Heavily armed men kill a patient at Alexandra clinic
The safety of patients and health workers at the Alexandra Community Health Centre has been suddenly thrown into doubt following the fatal stabbing of a patient there almost two weeks ago.
Taxi passengers still fearful despite truce in Cape taxi war
The taxi industry by far transports the biggest number of passengers on any given day, compared to both rail and bus. However, with taxi owners and drivers fighting over routes, the industry is marred by violence that in the conflict between two rival taxi associations in Cape Town, 13 people have been killed.
Foreign nationals in Port Elizabeth Central live in fear
In May 2008, xenophobic attacks swept through South Africa leaving 62 people dead and 21 of whom were South African citizens. Elitsha spoke to foreign nationals in Port Elizabeth Central to ask whether they feel safe or not.
“Parkwood has a problem, people live under inhumane conditions”
Widespread protests for land and housing are taking place with backyarders and landless people occupying vacant land in Cape Town.
Pools of sewage a daily torment in Cape communities
Overflowing sewage is a frequent problem for residents of Samora Machel township and elsewhere in Cape Town. Besides the terrible stench they have to contend with, residents report that their children suffer from skin rashes and respiratory ailments.
City of Cape Town accused of dividing the community
A meeting between leadership of the Vrygrond community and the City of Cape Town, after several stand-offs between law enforcement officers and backyarders who have attempted to occupy vacant land, has not taken place even though a date was set.
Lockdown keeps the peace in Mthatha taxi turf war
The peace agreement intended to bring the turf war between rival taxi associations in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape appears to be holding. Police Minister Bheki Cele brokered the deal by closing taxi ranks and routes. A month after the signing of the deal, just two ranks have reopened.
Glebelands hitmen get life sentences for taxi killing
Many believe the Glebelands violence is driven by corruption, particularly involving construction tenders and unit allocation. The vast majority of residents killed were targeted because they opposed the ward councilor’s alleged corruption and nepotism.
Pensioners protest for money owed to them by government
Pensioners in Port Elizabeth have threatened to boycott the 2019 elections unless the government pay them reparations for working as public servants under exploitative Apartheid and Bantustan regimes.
The story of ‘Glebelands 7’ (PART 2): One step closer to justice
Late last year, seven of Glebelands most notorious ‘hitmen’ – including the hostel’s rogue cop – were arrested and charged with 19 counts of murder, attempted murder, racketeering, extortion and possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition. Elitsha has been tracking the ‘Glebelands 7’ progress through the criminal justice system. This is Part 2.
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