Joint NGO statement on killing of EC activist

Last night in Mbizana, Eastern Cape, unknown attackers impersonating police officers assassinated the activist and chairperson of the Amadiba Crisis Committee at his home, in front of his young child. Sikhosiphi Bazooka Rhadebe from Mdatya village in Amadiba died on the scene after being shot in the head eight times. Under Rhadebe’s leadership, the Amadiba Read more >

NGO statement on Helen Suzman Foundation raid

On Sunday afternoon the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) offices in Parktown, Johannesburg, were the target of a military-style raid. Those conducting the raid clearly knew what they were looking for: computers and other documentation relating to the programmatic work of the HSF were taken. The brazen, co-ordinated nature of the operation and its targeted, selective Read more >

The week that was: global view

President Jacob Zuma South Africa experienced a fascinating week, politically speaking, last week. As can be expected, the world was watching and some of the leading global news agencies reported on the events of the past few days, including “Guptagate” and the confirmation by Fifa -and later denial by South Africa – of a 2010 Read more >

Zero leaves community with no water

On the same day that Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane pleaded with South Africans to pray for rain to end the current drought, a news report in the City Press highlighted the sad state of water supply in the town of Giyani in Limpopo. A tender that is reported to have cost taxpayers R170-million Read more >

Zuma: Nxasana wanted to leave

Nine months after Mxolisi Nxasana resigned from his position, President Jacob Zuma says the former National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head did what was best for South Africa by leaving his post. Nxasana resigned from the NPA abruptly last June amid controversy and while an inquiry into his fitness for office was under way. Zuma was Read more >

Betrayal of public trust must be investigated

The controversy surrounding the relationship between the president and the Gupta family demands immediate resolution. It is a particularly damaging distraction at a time when the country faces pressing economic problems, problems that are strongly related to the governance issues represented in the Gupta affair. In essence, business interests represented by the Gupta family stand Read more >

Nation waits for Seriti report

The Arms Procurement Commission, also known as the Seriti Commission, submitted its final report covering four years of proceedings, just before the end of 2015. The deadline for the report’s submission was 31 December 2015, and the commission filed it on the 30th. At the start hopes were high that together, the witnesses would finally Read more >

$1-trillion-plus estimated to have left Africa illegally

by Khayalethu Hamana Over the past 50 years, Africa is estimated to have lost more than $1-trillion in illicit financial flows, but this may well fall short of reality, because accurate data does not exist for many countries. The estimates often exclude illicit flows, such as the proceeds of bribery and the trafficking of drugs, Read more >

Community stands up for its rights

Until fairly recently, the small town of Barberton in Mpumalanga was not a regular feature in the news. It is home to a population of just under 70 000, with an estimated unemployment rate of about 26%, mostly affecting young people. The community was thrust into the spotlight last month when they challenged the planned merger Read more >