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Mail & Guardian
alexandra townshiplatest news & developments
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe’s son, was arrested for attempted murder on Thursday after a shooting at his Hyde Park residence

Man implicated by slain Witness D survives Boksburg shooting

Wiandre Pretorius was shot at 16 times and walked away unharmed by what police believe was a targeted hit after he was implicated at the Madlanga Commission

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. (SAPS/X)

Three suspects identified in killing of Madlanga commission’s Witness D

Police have detained one of the suspects, who is currently being questioned, national police commissioner Fannie Masemola told journalists

Gauteng RDP housing projects still incomplete after 30 years

Applicants who have waited for decades to get houses say many have jumped the queue

Failing local government systems: Alexandra’s perpetual affliction

To turn the tide against malfunction in the public service, a radical shift towards habits that initiate a culture of care and interrelatedness is needed

Street vendors around the mall said they were “doomed” after witnessing the damage at the mall.. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Looting, vandalism: ‘I don’t know how I am going to survive,’ says Diepkloof street vendor

People plundering shops and malls has spread, leaving a trail of devastation and loss of income and jobs

(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

From ‘academic boys’ to ‘sex-jaros’: What it means to be a black boy in a South African township

Toxic masculinities help drive everything from HIV infection rates to gender-based violence. But before we ask, what does it mean to be a ‘man’ in South Africa, should we wonder…

A South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier stands in front a house as he patrols the streets in Alexandra, Johannesburg, on March 27, 2020 during a joint operation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in order prevent the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak. (Luca Sola/AFP)

Khosa case: Going straight to the Constitutional Court isn’t always the right path

Even where the case is a strong one, direct access to the highest court is a route only in truly exceptional circumstances

Alcohol has been a central topic of discussion during the national lockdown.

Alexandra’s black market for booze under lockdown

Underground liquor has a long history in South Africa. Its next chapter is being written under the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown

First responders: Community health workers like Sisanda Kulima started organising themselves weeks ago to prepare for their efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus in townships. (Paul Botes)

The lockdown: South Africa’s test of its democracy

How South African citizens, the police and the army, and politicians behave during the 21-day lockdown will have far-reaching implications for our democracy

The suicidal effect of our ailing society

The suicidal effect of our ailing society

Millions of our fellow citizens are literally robbed of the opportunity to live meaningful lives

Colour: Children splash about in Alexandra’s clear blue pool on a hot summer Monday. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Jo’burg pool in the deep end

Residents complained about noise and bad behaviour so the gates were closed on weekends, a decision some see as racist

?Linda Twala buries people and creates safe spaces for learning, helping to make him an invaluable part of the community. (Hiram Alejandro Durán/M&G)

Linda Twala — the father of the nation of Alex

​Linda Twala was born to one of the original residents of Alexandra. He is now known as the father of Alex, a title he takes very seriously

Alex is a ticking bomb especially when it comes to illegal occupations in hazardous areas. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Alex is a ‘disaster-in-waiting’ – Gauteng settlements MEC

Dikgang Uhuru Moiloa said lawlessness and disorder is a result of different stakeholders in the community not agreeing on how Alex should be developed

The inquiry will look into whether the budget allocated to the Alexandra renewal project was utilised for the purpose for which it was intended. (Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters)

Alex inquiry: City of Joburg refutes residents’ claims

The inquiry’s mandate is to investigate whether there are violations of the rights contained in the Bill of Rights as related to people in Alexandra

According to residents, the money from the Alexandra Renewal Project cannot be accounted for because nothing has been done. (Madelene Cronje/M&G)

‘The development of Alex has been arrested’ inquiry hears

During the protests, residents shed light on the failed Alexandra Renewal Project, which had an alleged allocated budget of R1.6-billion

EFF leader Julius Malema speaking at a May Day rally at Sankopano stadium in Alexandra. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Alexandra township is the place of forgotten people — Malema

The EFF leader says Alexandra is an indication of how the governing party has done nothing to improve the lives of township residents

Ben Motloutsi has lived in Alex for the past 25 years. He says: “Our people that we loved in the ANC are corrupt.” (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Alex citizens just want it ‘to be nice’

Alexandra citizens are struggling, with housing woes and unkept promises making life difficult for them

The inquiry will look into whether the budget allocated to the Alexandra renewal project was utilised for the purpose for which it was intended. (Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters)

Alex’s answer: Relocations

Town planners say the township’s infrastructure cannot support the number of people living there

Toilets in townships and informal settlements need to be improved. Photo: David Harrison/M&G

Township development — yes, we can!

Created to exist on the fringes of society, townships still carry the economic legacy of apartheid

(Mashadi Kekana/M&G)

Alex fire leaves scores destitute as they work on rebuilding

Approximately 500 shacks were reduced to ash on Thursday in what residents say began as an altercation involving someone living at the settlement