Eritreans hopeful after ‘historic’ Canadian ruling
The door to justice has finally opened for Eritrean refugees who say they were subjected to inhumane treatment while working at a Canadian mine in their home country.
News
Who qualifies for Covid-19 testing
Not everyone can get tested for the coronavirus. There are structures in place guiding health practitioners when it comes to screening patients for testing.
Shack dwellers mobilise to halt Covid-19 spread
In the Western Cape, residents from townships and shack settlements are seeking ways to minimise the spread of the coronavirus. But they still need government aid and support.
SA lockdown is a dilemma for parents and children
Leaving children unsupervised as schools close is a worry. But the Covid-19 lockdown means parents staying at home too. Not earning is impossible for people struggling to afford the basics of life.
Pressure for private hospitals to be nationalised
Government has stopped short of nationalising private hospitals, but unions and community-based organisations are pushing for free healthcare for all – now and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.
Covid-19 hygiene necessities hit rural areas
Residents in remote rural villages who have long had to manage the daily reality of no access to running water are anxious about coping with the coronavirus.
Joburg residents fight warrantless raids in court
More than 2 000 inner-city dwellers have challenged the constitutionality of the act that authorises the police to conduct searches of their homes without warrants.
Covid-19 disrupts government in SA
The government has put stringent measures in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and the National Assembly, provincial outreach programmes and municipalities have had to comply.
Coronavirus uncertainty affects asylum seekers
Some refugee reception offices in South Africa have stopped accepting new asylum applications as the government enforces stricter measures to deal with the Covid-19 crisis.
Coronavirus a huge threat to water-scarce Makhanda
The university town’s municipal council should step down at once in the wake of the ongoing water crisis, which could doom efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Joburg’s public transport may not be ready for coronavirus
Commuters who use public transport are at high risk of infection, but Johannesburg’s bus, rail and taxi systems are not yet prepared to stem the spread of Covid-19.
Coronavirus misinformation floods Lenasia
Naeem Moosa sent a patient to be tested for Covid-19, and within hours misinformation had swept through Lenasia in Johannesburg. Now the doctor has to curb panic as well as try to save lives.
EPWP: temporary work, permanent casuals
The Expanded Public Works Programme offers relief to poverty-stricken families, but it also exploits workers by not providing benefits or job security.
Lack of student funding still an issue
Students have been protesting at the start of the academic year against financial exclusion and a lack of accommodation. It’s an all too familiar situation, but what are the alternatives?
Rural areas in need of coronavirus information
The government has said it has the resources to combat Covid-19. But with repatriated citizens from China set to be quarantined in Limpopo, residents are concerned about the lack of safety information.
Saftu’s municipal union scores against government
When the labour registrar deregistered Demawusa, it faced ruin. Now the Labour Court has suspended the ruling pending an appeal.
Ferrero’s zero hours workers continue CCMA fight
As resistance against zero hours contracts at the chocolate confectionery continues at the CCMA, allegations have emerged that the company is using those contracts to discipline workers.
No recourse for exploited Vodacom customers
The mobile operator will cut data prices by 40% moving forward, but is off the hook for its alleged price discrimination against the poor in the past.
Trucking violence blamed on high unemployment
Following ongoing violent attacks on mostly migrant long-distance truck drivers, the South African Human Rights Commission is trying to uncover the reasons they are targeted.
LanXess workers strike against exploitation
Striking Numsa members at Rustenburg’s LanXess chrome mine will not budge until management has addressed profiteering, corruption and sexual harassment.
Crumbling coalitions cripple service delivery
The Tshwane metro has been placed under administration, the City of Joburg has no majority and Nelson Mandela Bay’s coalitions have collapsed. All the while, the people suffer.