South Africans are continuing to feel the pressure of rising food costs, while reports of changing ownership at township spaza shops have raised concerns about the affordability of basic food items such as bread. Speaking to VOC News, National Agricultural Marketing Council Agricultural Trade Economist Thabile Nkunjana said reports of
By Lee-Yandra Paulsen Environmental justice organisation The Green Connection has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to provide clarity on reports that Israeli-owned Navitas Petroleum could become the operator of offshore oil and gas exploration Block 1 CBK in the Orange Basin off South Africa’s West Coast. The organisation said the
By Ragheema Mclean Gun Free South Africa has called on the government to intensify efforts to curb the circulation of illegal firearms as the country marks Gun Destruction Day, following two deadly mass shootings in Cape Town that claimed seven lives. Western Cape police are investigating two separate shootings in
By Ragheema Mclean Long waiting times, overcrowded emergency centres and staff shortages have left many South Africans frustrated with the state of public healthcare. However, health experts argue that while the system is under immense strain, it is inaccurate to describe it as “collapsed”. In the Western Cape, where hospitals
By Odwa Mkentane Western Cape police are investigating two separate mass shooting incidents that occurred on Wednesday evening, in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, and Philippi East. The attacks claimed the lives of seven people and left five others injured. Police spokesperson Andre Traut says while the incidents occurred within minutes of
National Treasury says municipalities must adopt realistic budgets and agree on sustainable repayment plans with creditors before withheld funding can be released, following its decision to temporarily withhold R13.5 billion in July equitable share transfers to 69 municipalities that failed to comply with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). Speaking
The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) has rejected claims made in a Hawks media statement that two people arrested in connection with an alleged fraud case were directors of the organisation. The response follows the arrest of a 41-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman, who are expected to appear
By Sheefah Irambona For millions of South Africans living with disabilities, the biggest obstacle isn’t their disability but the world around them. From inaccessible public spaces to limited transport options and exclusion from decision-making, the barriers they face are often created by society, not by their physical conditions. According
The Khayelitsha Development Forum has welcomed the findings of the Public Protector South Africa that the City of Cape Town failed to provide adequate basic municipal services to residents in parts of Khayelitsha and Langa. Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka found that some of the city’s most vulnerable communities were not
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
