http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=154870&sn=Detail

Amnesty International condemns Human Rights abuse of Abahlali members
Paul Trewhela
18 December 2009

Zuma's government given criticism devoted in the past decades to the apartheid state

On the Day of Reconciliation in South Africa, 16 December, Amnesty International - the world's foremost human rights organisation - has issued a damning condemnation of the conduct of the government of the African National Congress, led by President Jacob Zuma. (See here).

http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=154873&sn=Marketingweb+detail

Anglican Church honours Abahlali leader
Paul Trewhela
18 December 2009

Bishop Rubin Phillip's citation of Holy Nativity award to S'bu Zikode

The Christian churches in South Africa, and in particular the Anglican Church under the guidance of Bishop Rubin Phillip, have confirmed their courageous and principled stand in defence of human rights by the award by the Diocese of the Natal Anglican Church of the Order of the Holy Nativity to S'bu Zikode, the elected president of the shackdwellers' movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM).

http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=151965&sn=Detail

"Five minutes to pray - and then leave".
Paul Trewhela
23 November 2009

Paul Trewhela on the Diakonia Council of Churches and the Kennedy 13

"Five minutes to pray - and then leave".

This was the order of the station commander of Sydenham Police Station in Durban, Senior Superintendant Nayager, to the Diakonia Council of Churches last week, when it requested permission to visit 13 impoverished members of the shackdwellers' movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM), to pray with them.

http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=151726&sn=Detail

Church and state collide at Kennedy road
Paul Trewhela
20 November 2009

Paul Trewhela on how the clergy are once more speaking truth to power

Something wonderful took place in Durban/eThekwini on Wednesday 18 November.

Continuing a tradition well over 50 years old in South Africa, the Church spoke truth to power.

The point is: that power was no longer the party/state governed by the National Party but the party/state governed by the African National Congress, its successor. This is the only difference, but it has great implications for the present and the future.

Click here to read the version of this article published in the Cape Argus as 'Rule by fist is ruining out democratic dream' on 27 October 2009.

http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=148248&sn=Detail

The professor and the police minister
Paul Trewhela
25 October 2009

Paul Trewhela writes on the clash between Kader Asmal and Fikile Mbalula

http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=145446&sn=Detail

A bad week for South Africa
Paul Trewhela
04 October 2009

Paul Trewhela on the continuing degradation of the state in South Africa

This was a bad, bad week for South Africa. It began badly and it ended badly, with ominous import for the future.

The perceived danger is that the state -- that great organ of coercion, Friedrich Engels's 'bodies of armed men' -- is being degraded into an instrument of brutality and self-enrichment to the advantage of certain selfish sectional interests, as a kind of Mafia. One has every reason to fear this.