PAUL MARITZ: Why the PSC Bill’s romanticism threatens local democracy
There is a familiar saying about the road to hell being paved with good intentions. SA, with its fondness for ambitious plans and solemn policy papers, seems determined to make it so. The latest example in a long and tragic list is the Public Service Commission (PSC) Bill, which was recently before the National Council […]
Civil society groups reject President’s National Dialogue as exclusionary
The President’s planned “National Dialogue” is being sharply criticised by civil society groups, who say it is “neither national nor a dialogue” as it fails to unite the country. Read full article here
Van regstelling tot rassebeheer
Toe die nuwe Suid-Afrika in 1994 tot stand gekom het, was daar een droom wat bo die res fundamenteel uitgestyg het – ʼn visie van ʼn nie-rassige demokrasie. Dit was ʼn repudiasie van die verlede en die belofte van ʼn toekoms waar Suid-Afrikaners gelyk hanteer word en nie uitgesonder word op grond van ras nie. […]
Straining to support: South Africa’s social grants are vital but can the state keep up?
Social relief of distress, or social grants, is a key part of South Africa’s welfare system; however, recent data indicates that its role is increasingly strained, raising concerns about sustainability, economic growth, and social cohesion. According to the latest General Household Survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), an unprecedented 40.1% of the population […]
Free SA verwelkom riglyne oor Bela
Die burgerregteorganisasie Free SA het die departement van basiese onderwys se nuut gepubliseerde riglyne vir die Bela-wet verwelkom. Die riglyne bevestig die mag van skoolbeheerliggame om hul eie taal- en toelatingsbeleid binne ’n grondwetlike raamwerk te bepaal. Reuben Coetzer, woordvoerder van Free SA, sê die organisasie ondersteun pogings wat betekenisvolle besluitnemingsmag in die hande van […]
Duisende besware teen strenger reëls oor wapens
Duisende besware is reeds ingedien teen die voorgestelde beperkings op vuurwapengebruik in die private veiligheidsbedryf. Die spertyd vir die proses van openbare kommentaar sluit Vrydag. Lees meer op Maroela Media
Firearm curbs on security industry ‘out of touch with reality’
A civil rights organisation has urged the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) to redraft regulations on the use of firearms by private security personnel, warning that the present proposals would hamper efforts to combat rampant crime. The Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality (Free SA) said the regulations also could have devastating consequences […]
POLL | What do you think of proposed regulations on private security?
Police minister Senzo Mchunu has proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, which will bar security guards from using “prohibited weapons” such as tasers, teargas, water cannons, sponge grenades, rubber/plastic bullets “and other weapons that may harm civilians”, Business Day reported. The private security industry employs more than 580,000 personnel compared to the 180,000 […]
Herroep konsepregulasies oor private veiligheidsbedryf – Free SA
Die organisasie Free SA het ʼn sterk waarskuwing gerig oor voorgestelde wysigings aan vuurwapenregulasies en het die voorgestelde wysigings as “vaag, onwerkbaar en ʼn ernstige bedreiging vir openbare veiligheid” bestempel. Lees meer op Maroela Media
Government U-turn on cannabis products ban — seller (and user) fears allayed
The South African government has withdrawn its ban on cannabis and hemp foodstuffs, following public outcry and pressure from civil society organisations, easing tensions for sellers who can now resume business. The South African government has withdrawn its contentious regulations banning the sale, importation and manufacture of food products containing hemp and cannabis. The reversal […]
