Magistrates attacked for treatment of rape complainants

http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2014/01/22/like-being-raped-all-over-again

Human rights watch slam SA police as ‘human rights threat’

There was a time during the struggle against apartheid when Human Rights Watch exposed the repression of the apartheid regime. Continue reading

Raymond Suttner, video interview on early Mandela, relationship with Sisulu and Mandela’s masculinities

Raymond Suttner video interview on ethical significance of Mandela’s court appearances

http://www.polity.org.za/article/mandela-on-trial-its-meaning-for-us-today-2014-01-20

The murky background to water shortage and killings in Mothutlung

Mothotlung water shortages shrouded in murk

Securing licence for Goldfields costs shareholders millions in shares to associates of former gangster Gayton McK

Gold Fields: Ex-con McKenzie’s cronies given R330m

Pierre de Vos, Water is life, but the struggle for it is deadly

Important location of the battle for water in Mothutlung that has already cost three lives, allegedly as a result of police violence, in the context of constitutional rights, in the Bill of Rights and in judgments of the Constitutional court

 

http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2014-01-15-water-is-life-but-the-struggle-for-it-is-deadly/#.Utf0ef3H1SV

Bling queen off hook as state messes up case

http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2014/01/16/bling-queen-off-hook-as-state-messes-up-the-case

Brits Financial mismanagement and water supply failure not new

http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2014/01/16/brits-tragedy-was-a-long-time-coming

Mothultlung: where death is delivered faster than service

http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-01-16-mothutlung-where-death-is-delivered-faster-than-service/#.UtfOI_3H1SV

3 people killed by police, while water supply is sabotaged and water tank suppliers provide water whose quality is questioned

http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2014/01/16/dirty-water-scandal

Continued protests over lack of water and police violence and killings in Mothutlung, outside Brits.

Protests continue and police appear to have thrown a man out of a Nyala leading to his sustaining severe head injuries

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/cops-are-killing-us-1.1631690#.UtYj2v3H1SU

Carol Paton analyses the meanings and implications of the ANC election manifesto

http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/politics/2014/01/15/good-news-manifesto-bad-news-for-anc

Pierre de Vos on suggestion that ANC might change constitution

I like this article by Pierre de Vos. I have two suggestions. In the sixth paragraph he speaks of those irritated by aspects of the constitution being driven by ‘traditional values’. I know and he makes clear that he is referring to the TCB, which in some cases entrenches dubious versions of tradition. My problem is of a different nature. Surely our belief in democracy is itself a traditional value, part of a long tradition? So my suggestion is that we should not allow that word to be appropriated by reactionaries. My second point is that in paragraph 3 de Vos provides a valuable basis for assessing when a constitutional amendment may be illegitimate. But I think it is time for concerned citizens to elaborate on what type of amendments should or could be entertained as enhancing and deepening our democracy. If we say, correctly, that there is nothing wrong with changing the constitution, it may assist debate to indicate what type of directions could be entertained in the future.

Changing the Constitution? Probably not.

Raymond Suttner: Depoliticised ANC not equipped to address African/Indian business tensions in KZN

The tensions brewing in KZN between African and Indian business people over access to tenders could spark violence and death. (See City Press article below) Continue reading

Turmoil over alleged attempt to purge SAPS of senior MK officers

Two articles in the Mail and Guardian address the question of an alleged hit list within the SAPS, aimed at ridding the senior ranks of mainly former MK operatives. Continue reading

Unprecedented use of state security and ANC monitoring to prevent booing at launch of election manifesto

State security is being deployed through the intelligence services in particular, in order to ensure that the president is not booed Continue reading

ANC leadership prepares to defend Nkandla expenditure

One of the most problematic features in current political life, is that there is no real debate Continue reading

Foul play alleged over allocation of fishing licences, with seasoned fishermen denied licences

The allocation of fishing licences overseen by the acting Director General of Agriculture and Fisheries, who is also Treasurer of the MK Veterans association Continue reading

Richard Pithouse, Another annus horribilis for the ANC

Very insightful analysis of the decline of the ANC by Richard Pithouse. There are also some important remarks about organisations outside of the ANC, including the NGO sector, and the general absence of a powerful movement that can relieve the decadence and violence of the present.

http://sacsis.org.za/site/article/1880