Jul
24
2019
To be delivered by Adv. Shamila Batohi, National Director of Public Prosecutions, on Challenges facing the Criminal Justice Sector in the pursuit of Promoting and Protecting Human Rights.
RSVP: Madeniyah - madeniyah@casac.org.za
Jul
09
2019
2019 HUMAN SETTLEMENTS BUDGET VOTE, 9 July 2019
The Honourable Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu (MP) will host the 2019 Human Settlements Budget Vote Speech on the 9thJuly 2019, Parliament , Cape Town at 14:00.
Jul
09
2019
“The non-responsiveness by Home Affairs left no room for us to engage with them”
By Tariro Washinyira
The Legal Resources Centre (LRC) is asking the Western Cape High Court to order the Department of Home Affairs to commit to a deadline to reopen its Cape Town Refugee Reception Office.
The legal battle between refugee organisations and Home Affairs began in 2012 when Home Affairs closed...
Jul
04
2019
Survivors of rape need better support within the criminal justice system, say civil society organisations
By Mary-Anne Gontsana
“We need a sexual offences court in Khayelitsha immediately,” Nombulelo Sithilanga of Thuthuzela Care Centre told a panel discussion at the Isivivana Centre last month.
According to Crime Stats SA, 444 sexual offences cases, including 367 cases of rape, were opened at the three main...
Jun
28
2019
Judge refuses application for final interdict against occupation of controversial land
By Mary-Anne Gontsana
Social justice organisations have hailed the judgement in the case brought against them by property developers Growthpoint Properties as a victory.
In the Western Cape High Court on Friday, Judge Judith Cloete discharged with costs Growthpoint’s application for a final interdict against Reclaim the City (RTC).
On 4 December, RTC,...
Jun
28
2019
EE wants R4.3 million saved at this year’s official opening of the legislature to be allocated to fixing schools
By Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik
On Friday, members of Equal Education picketed outside the Eastern Cape Legislature ahead of the State of Province Address in Bhisho.
Earlier this month, Speaker Helen Sauls-August announced that the address would be held in the chamber and there would...
Jun
28
2019
City will appeal the court order affecting Vusimuzi in Tembisa
By Zoë Postman
On Friday morning, the South Gauteng High Court interdicted the City of Ekurhuleni from reblocking Vusimuzi informal settlement in Tembisa, at least until the matter is heard in July.
About 130 community members, who are part of the shack dwellers movement Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM), took the City to court in...
Jun
21
2019
Courts make inhumane decisions based on legal facts and are not in touch with our people on the ground, says farm workers’ rights organiser
By Barbara Maregele
“They are the authors of their own fate,” said Land Claims Court Acting Judge Canca, referring to the May family’s decision to squat outside the gates of the farmfrom which they were evicted in Paarl, and...
Jun
20
2019
Correctional services say his computer is a security risk
By Zoë Postman
Mbalenhle Nkosi, an inmate at Johannesburg Medium C Correctional Facility, has taken the head of the prison, the National Commissioner and the Minister of Correctional Services to court.
The prison has denied him access to his laptop, which he needs for distance learning. He has accused the authorities of “infringing on...
Jun
20
2019
Scalabrini Centre hails court order as life-changing for refugees
By Tariro Washinyira
On Wednesday, the Western Cape High Court handed down a court order that allows the dependents of asylum seekers and refugees to legalise their status in South Africa in a process known as ‘family-joining’. Dependents are defined as spouses, children and other dependents of asylum seekers.
In a statement released on Wednesday,...