GroundUp

City battles land occupation as restitution process drags on

By Matthew Hirsch/GroundUp

The length of time it is taking to settle District Six claims is leaving the land vulnerable to illegal occupation, creating difficulties for the City, although resettlement of the area is the national government’s responsibility.… Read more

Zeekoevlei is used by schools and clubs for sailing and rowing but a toxic algal bloom has led to it being closed since December

By Matthew Hirsch/GroundUp

Zeekoevlei, which is used by numerous sailing, rowing, and other recreational clubs, has been closed since December due to dangerous levels of toxins caused by algal blooms.… Read more

Funding is secured, but about 50 families living in an informal settlement still need to be relocated

By Matthew Hirsch

Funding has been secured to build social housing at the Salt River Market site, but about 50 families living in an informal settlement on the property still need to be relocated.… Read more

Western Cape Network on Disability is challenging the cuts in court

On Thursday morning, disability activists disrupted an Urban Mobility Portfolio Committee meeting at the Civic Centre over planned cuts to the City of Cape Town’s Dial-a-Ride service.

Among them were users of the transport service and representatives from Disability Revolution, QuadPara Association of South Africa, and #UniteBehind.… Read more

Department of Public Works and Ndifuna Ukwazi square off in court

By Matthew Hirsch/GroundUp

Families facing eviction from 104 Darling Street – named Irene Grootboom House by some of its residents – are awaiting judgment from the Western Cape High Court.… Read more

Work has been disrupted and more than 1,250 people still live on the tracks

Trains to Mitchells Plain on the Central Line have not been operational for six years, and several stations on the line remain closed.

The delay in reviving train services has left Mitchells Plain commuters reliant on alternative means of transport.… Read more

City says it has to introduce cuts due to budget constraints

By Mary-Anne Gontsana/GroundUp

Disability organisations held a picket outside the Cape Town Civic Centre on Monday against the City of Cape Town’s planned cuts to the Dial-a-Ride service.

The City announced earlier this month that from 8 September, the transport service will only be available for wheelchair users and people with severe walking impairments.… Read more

237 Social housing units planned

By Matthew Hirsch/GroundUp

The Cape Town City Council has approved the sale of the “Fruit and Veg” site in the city centre adjacent to Roeland Street for social housing.

This comes eight years after municipal land between Kent and Bloemhof Streets on the border of District Six was first earmarked for affordable housing.… Read more

There is nothing random about what Israel is doing,” says Palestinian journalist.

Hundreds of people, including many journalists, marched on the Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town on Sunday, protesting against Israel’s killing of journalists.

This comes after Israel killed six media workers at the al-Shifa hospital precinct in Gaza City on 10 August.… Read more