Illustration: Lisa Nelson Covid began to hit South Africa badly in May 2020. The Medical Research Council (MRC) has diligently tracked the excess deaths that have come in the wake of the pandemic. It was two years ago this month that the number of deaths in the country started exceeding what was expected based on historical numbers. As of 7 May, 310,000 more people have died … [Read more...] about Two years into the Covid disaster, where do we stand?
GroundUp
Lansdowne train station is full of excrement, garbage – and rats
This subway is so filthy that commuters cross the railway lines to avoid using it. Photos: Tariro Washinyira Lansdowne train station in Cape Town serves the busy Cape Flats line. But the station is filthy with garbage and rats . One subway has been used as as toilet and commuters cross the line rather than use it. Metrorail says it “will investigate”. Lansdowne station in … [Read more...] about Lansdowne train station is full of excrement, garbage – and rats
Anger at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as water runs out and leaks go unfixed
A leaking pipe has caused this stream in Motherwell, Gqeberha. Photos: Joseph Chirume Nelson Mandela Bay is running out of water. Dam levels were at 13% of capacity on 10 May. The municipality projects that unless rain comes, the area will run out of water by the end of June. Yet the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is struggling to contain leaks. The photo above shows a flooded … [Read more...] about Anger at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as water runs out and leaks go unfixed
Human Rights Commission steps in to tackle Limpopo sewage problem
At the back of Dinah Manamela’s house are two broken sewer pipes. She says she is now used to living with the smell. Photo: Bernard Chiguvare For months residents of Mogalakwena in Limpopo have had to put up with a broken sewage system. After failing to get the municipality to fix the problem, they asked the Human Rights Commission to step in. The municipality has submitted a … [Read more...] about Human Rights Commission steps in to tackle Limpopo sewage problem
The Prosperous Platinum City’s ruined taxi rank
The taxi rank has two shelters, built by the taxi owners. Photo: Chris Gilili The municipality describes Madibeng in North West as “the Prosperous Platinum and Green Tourism City”. But the taxi rank in Hebron, Madibeng, used by hundreds of taxis daily, has only one toilet, and, like the two shelters, the toilet was installed by the taxi owners, not the municipality. The rank, … [Read more...] about The Prosperous Platinum City’s ruined taxi rank
