CALS Quarterly Issue 25
- Lee-Anne Bruce
Read the latest issue of our quarterly newsletter and catch up on our recent highlights
Women’s Month saw CALS working on a number of different projects in the gender justice arena. We launched an appeal in a matter where a victim of domestic violence was convicted of murder for killing her abusive partner – with the case making quite an impression in the media. We also recently appeared in the High Court in Pretoria to argue that sexual offences should not be defined in the law based on consent as this puts the onus on victims to prove they did not consent.
In civil and political justice news, CALS continues on our campaign to address strategic litigation against public participation – otherwise known as ‘SLAPP’ suits. In September, we appeared in the Mahikeng High Court representing two environmental activists in an interdict brought by Tharisa Mine. We also recently hosted the annual Activist Symposium in partnership with the Right2Protest Project, bringing together human rights defenders from across Africa to build solidarity against repression.
CALS continues to assist community clients who are struggling to realise their rights to basic services in both rural and urban areas. A community of clients from the Zondi area of Soweto recently approached the High Court in Johannesburg for a contempt of court application. The City of Johannesburg has failed to comply with a court order and fulfill their constitutional mandate to supply infrastructure to our clients’ land. Tsireletso Mokoaqo and Thuli Zulu also discuss the lack of access to water in villages around the Toboyi area of the Eastern Cape here.
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