The R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund is facing renewed scrutiny over slow disbursements and concerns about the state’s ability to properly verify businesses applying for financial support. Speaking to VOC News, analyst Sandile Swana says only R83.9 million in applications had been approved, with R57 million actually disbursed to
National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams says he does not understand why he was arrested instead of being asked to provide a warning statement. Adams appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal, where he faces charges of fraud and defeating the ends of justice, linked to alleged interference in
Allegations that some police officers are working with or receiving payments from criminal gangs are raising serious concerns about the ability of law enforcement to tackle organised crime and protect communities. Speaking to VOC News, security strategist and retired Interpol Ambassador Andy Mashaile says there are police officers who abuse
By Odwa Bafana Mkentane Criminologist and the National Coordinator at Missing Children SA, Bianca Van Aswegen, says children are most vulnerable in the society and when it comes to human trafficking. The comment comes after a Cape Town family was caught allegedly selling their 11-year-old daughter for a measly R100
By Odwa Bafana Mkentane The Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT) Central Student Representative Council has rejected the university’s Newsflash account of recent council deliberations. The university’s newsflash issued a statement, demanding that the students’ demands be withdrawn and that protest action be cancelled, as further consultations on the other
A group of farm dwellers facing eviction has received support from the Women on Farms Project (WFP), which staged a picket outside the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court. The eviction matter was postponed, while concerns remain over the future of the affected families. WFP Co-Director Carmen Louw says the case could have
South Africa is working towards the World Health Organisation’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer, with 2030 set as a key milestone. The H.E.A.T Foundation is introducing clinically proven electro-hypothermia technology into public hospitals as an additional treatment alongside chemotherapy and radiation. H.E.A.T Foundation founder Dr Carrie Minaar says the initiative
By Odwa Bafana Mkentane Muizenberg police have registered an inquest for investigation following the death of a 46-year-old female on Saturday night at the Muizenberg police premises. The 46-year-old is alleged to have died after being taken into custody by police. Residents allege that officers were looking for an assault
By Odwa Bafana Mkentane Responding to allegations made by institutions protesting students, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) spokesperson Lauren Kansley says the protest is about the SRC election period because the issues raised are conflated. A group of CPUT students marched from CPUT District Six campus and through the
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.
