The City of Matlosana Local Municipality in Klerksdorp has been found to be on the wrong side of the law again. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has released its investigative report into a complaint concerning the municipality’s discontinuation of the Free Basic Alternative Energy (FBAE) programme. The commission reported that the decision to discontinue the programme severely affected poor and vulnerable households living in areas without access to electricity, including unemployed and child-headed households that could not afford…

The arrest of Stuart James Sharnick outside the Madlanga Commission has placed renewed focus on the safety of journalists covering South Africa’s high-profile inquiry into alleged corruption and criminality within the police. Sharnick was arrested on Thursday after Sowetan journalist Herman Moloi opened an intimidation case following an alleged confrontation at the commission in Pretoria. The incident happened during a tea break while suspended MP and National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams was appearing before the commission. Several journalists were…

The murder of ANC ward councillor Aubrey Tsengwa in Knysna has raised fresh concerns about political violence ahead of South Africa’s local government elections. Tsengwa, 48, was shot dead in Ngxalo Street on Wednesday night after an unknown gunman allegedly opened fire on the vehicle in which he was travelling. Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said officers responded to the shooting at about 9:20pm and found Tsengwa with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and upper body. He was declared dead…