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Upcoming polls: The ANC is struggling to launch a coherent campaign due to internal factional battles and
reputational damage linked to corruption allegations, according to a political analyst. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

ANC faces local poll backlash

Political experts say fragmented opposition politics and worsening municipal governance will define South Africa’s first post-GNU local elections and that it’s not looking good…

Unsafe supply: Qwa Qwa residents use river water to do their laundry. They also collect water from the river for their homes. Photo Delwyn Verasamy

No freedom without water

Across South Africa, communities are marking Freedom Day under the weight of an escalating water crisis, where unreliable supply, contamination and ageing infrastructure continue…

(eThekwini Municipality)

Joburg and Durban residents fume over municipal hikes

Ratepayers have raised concern that proposed property rates, electricity and water tariff hikes present an affordability crisis

A truck that was torched on the N2 on Sunday night during a service delivery protest.

Protestors set trucks alight on Durban highway

Last month, protestors angry over constant electricity blackouts torched a car

Angry: People gather outside the Tembisa customer care centre after it was set on fire during a night of riots by residents demanding the improved delivery of basic services. (Guillem Sartorio/AFP)

Ramaphosa’s energy plan does not mean cheaper electricity

Experts warn that if Eskom and government does not come to grips with the tariff problem, continued social unrest is inevitable

(John McCann/M&G)

Coalition of the disastrous with the unpalatable

What do the outcomes of the local government polls portend for the general elections in 2024?

Mail & Gaurdian

Editorial: Unrest death count the highest in more than 180 years

We need a commission of inquiry to find the central characters in the tragic event that played out in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

(Mail & Guardian)

Editorial: Last week’s unrest: Who is left to clean up the mess?

Once again, people of all races, religions and ages have come together to sort out the devastation that can largely be laid at the doorstep of our government

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

Ramaphosa told those in attendance in Alexandra that he understands their grievances. “We must respond to the pain and the suffering that our people are going through.” (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Ramaphosa addresses Alexandra, says he thought Mashaba would have come first

Speaking at Alexandra Stadium on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa told residents the area “is not a dumping ground”

The capital of the Northern Cape province has been rocked by civil unrest allegedly sparked by a proposed R260 electricity tariff.

Kimberley rocked by ‘R260 riot’

Protest action in the Sol Plaatje municipality has been attributed to the mayor’s imposition of a R260 electricity tariff

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an “extraordinary coronavirus budget” on Tuesday. (Reuters)

Mr Ramaphosa, this is how to get the country working

Address the clear shortcomings at the local government level, starting with simplification, accountability and an appropriate workforce

Service delivery protest in Khayelitsha

How corruption is fraying SA’s social and economic fabric

Reversing the effects of state decay on the poor will take short and long term interventions.

Anger spills over: Were the Eldorado Park protests conveniently timed to coincide with this week’s United Nations review?

‘Uprising’ prediction comes true

In the same week the UN was looking into claims that coloured people were gatvol, rioting erupted.

Life in Eldos: Bernadette Chamanil

Twenty-three people live in a two-bedroom flat in Eldos

Three families in too little space: "We literally fight for this room."

An upsurge in protests are a result of South Africans

Editorial: Protests show that nothing has changed

The government’s consistent failure to deliver basic services timeously, and its failure to communicate effectively, sets the course of protests.

Crowded out: The media’s coverage of protests focuses on violent and destructive incidents

New stats show that nine out of 11 protests a day are peaceful

Policy decisions such as public policing are based on misinterpreted data, skewing budget allocations.

Service delivery protests set for new highs this election year

Municipal IQ, a body that collects data on protests staged against municipalities says the number of demonstrations are worrisome.

Janine van Wyk, Desiree Ellis and Emma Hendricks during the Banyana Banyana Arrival Press Conference at OR Tambo International Airport on December 02 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Desperate and divided, SA is gatvol

The big question is: Will people vote for another party, or will it be protests and strikes as usual?

Khensani Maseko was buried at the Calgro M3 Memorial Park in Nasrec on Thursday. Her family, in a reference to her rape by her former boyfriend, condemned all violence against women. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Rent-seeking is gobbling up our economy

When the politically connected keep gorging at the trough, bona fide black talent is kept back, writes William Gumede.