Threatening letters and letters demanding protection money were sent to immigrant shop owners in Plettenberg Bay. Photos: Siphokazi Mnyobe Early last week, immigrants in Plettenberg Bay were attacked and driven out of their homes. After calm was restored the South African Human Rights Commission held a community meeting. Immigrants say the drive to remove them is a smokescreen … [Read more...] about “If you want us to bring his head or hand that can be done” – immigrants extorted for protection money
GroundUp
Shack dwellers say they cannot afford solar power company’s monthly fees
Some of Zonke Energy’s mini-grid solar towers at Qandu Qandu informal settlement in Khayelitsha. Photos: Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik Qandu Qandu informal settlement residents in Khayelitsha say they have feel duped by a project that pairs a solar energy company with the Umbane project led by professors at UCT and Exeter University. The participants say they cannot afford the … [Read more...] about Shack dwellers say they cannot afford solar power company’s monthly fees
City of Joburg pays constitutional damages for trying to evict park dwellers
Johannesburg City officials and members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan police were accompanied by armed private security guards when people living in the Alberts Farm Conservancy were evicted on 30 August in defiance of a court interdict. Photo from the court application. The City of Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) have conceded that … [Read more...] about City of Joburg pays constitutional damages for trying to evict park dwellers
The media has failed to warn society about climate collapse, says science writer
Archive photo: Masixole Feni The media has “failed in its role to warn society about climate collapse”, said science writer Leonie Joubert at the launch of an online climate reporting guide for South African journalists on Friday. The guide was written by Fossil Free South Africa, a campaign for fossil fuel divestment, with input from civil society organisations and scientists, … [Read more...] about The media has failed to warn society about climate collapse, says science writer
Gqeberha taxi driver dies after crashing into a protest barricade
A taxi driver died after crashing into a stormwater pipe used as a barricade by protestors in Gqeberha. Photos: Mkhuseli Sizani A taxi driver died and his passengers were seriously injured when his car collided with a stormwater pipe used as barricade by protesters. Westville informal settlement residents were protesting, demanding 6,500 houses promised seven years … [Read more...] about Gqeberha taxi driver dies after crashing into a protest barricade
