VOC Breakfast

COCT granted interim order to remove foreign nationals from church

An interim order has been granted by Western Cape High Court to have the foreign nationals removed from around the Methodist Church in the CBD. The court said that the City of Cape Town had seven days until it could enforce its by-laws against foreign nationals living around the church…

17 Feb 2020 8 min

Part 4: Mental health within the confines of Islam

In the 4th part of the series called mental health within the confines of Islam, we speak to a 19 year old haafitha, Minhah Hendricks who has started her own organization called "smiling minds" that offers a safe space for people dealing with mental health issues whilst she battles with…

17 Feb 2020 6 min

Still no positive leads 10 days after 8-year-old Tazne Van Wyk went missing

On Saturday morning Ravensmead CPF, residents as well as the Western Capes missing people’s unit conducted a search party in the hopes of finding the missing 8-year-old Tazne Van Wyk who was kidnapped in Elsies River more than a week ago. She was allegedly taken when she visited a tuckshop…

17 Feb 2020 9 min

Why were Imraan Mukaddam & Sharmen Gribbi arrested by the flying squad?

So on Friday, a video went viral showing Elsies River anti crime activist and bread distributor Imraahn Mukaddam and fellow activist Sharmen Gribbi being arrested under very suspicious circumstances. The entire saga was filmed on camera by Sharmen but things didn’t go down well as the angry police officer physically…

17 Feb 2020 9 min

SONA: Post Analysis with Guy Lamb

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday announced that 7,000 new police trainees were enlisted this year to strengthen local policing. The president touched on plans for combating crime during his delayed fourth State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday. Joining us online is Guy Lamb, director of the safety…

14 Feb 2020 9 min

SONA: Post analysis with Angelo Fick

President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted that the country is facing serious challenges but said action was being taken to address them. As predicted, opposition parties shared mixed reactions– with many of them slating the president’s speech as unrealistic and unachievable. But to help us make sense of what the president’s…

14 Feb 2020 15 min

SONA: Pre Analysis

So, today's a big day for the country as the president delivers his State of the Nation address tonight. I think we can all agree that South Africa would like to hear President Cyril Ramaphosa take realistic and concrete steps to boost the economy, save Eskom and SAA and deal…

13 Feb 2020 14 min

Guide to Recognizing Elder Abuse and Knowing Your Rights

Experts report that knowledge about elder abuse lags as much as two decades behind the fields of child abuse and domestic violence. Limited past research means limited data to guide practitioners, policymakers, and trainers. What we do know now is alarming: elders who experience a form of abuse, even modest…

13 Feb 2020 7 min

Viral video of elderly abuse sparks outrage from Cape communities

We have recently come across a video making the rounds on social media where an elderly lady is seen as being handled by what appears to be her grandson. In the video the grandson, who seems to be under the influence of something is seen puling his ma while begging…

13 Feb 2020 15 min

Ebrahim Mohamed completes first Midmar Mile against all odds

The first day of the 47th edition of the aQuellé Midmar Mile got off to a soggy start but ended bathed in sunshine as four of the weekend’s eight races took place at Midmar Dam just outside Pietermaritzburg. The world’s largest open water swimming event attracted over 13,000 entries who…

12 Feb 2020 10 min

Human Rights Cycle Tour cancelled over City of Cape Town bureaucracy

There was so much much anticipation and excitement ahead of the inaugural Human Rights Cycle Tour meant to take place in March this year, but unfortunately, the plug has been pulled on the event. This was supposed to be a first of its kind concept, creating synergy between Human Rights…

11 Feb 2020 15 min

Remembering D6 54 years on

54 years ago, on this day, many residents living in D6 were forcibly removed and relocated to other areas on the Cape Flats as D6 was officially declared “white”, which meant only white people could reside in the area. Now to celebrate the terrible event, but also to celebrate the…

11 Feb 2020 10 min

MJC commemorates 75th anniversary

This week marks 75 years since the historical day that the Muslim Judicial Council was established at the iconic St George’s Cathedral. The purpose of establishing the council was to unify Muslim scholars and religious leaders in Cape Town as well as South Africa. To look at the MJC's 75-year…

11 Feb 2020 22 min

Update: Special Remission of Sentence - Pollsmoor

Last year President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a special remission that will see some offenders having their sentences reduced drastically. Ramaphosa said such remissions were not new as former Presidents, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki once made them. He said remissions are carefully considered, considering the interest of the public and…

10 Feb 2020 11 min

MJC honors top matrics at awards ceremony

The completion of matric is a huge milestone in any young person’s life so it goes without saying that it must be celebrated. The MJC held a special ceremony to honour the top Muslim matric achievers of the past year over the weekend, especially those who attend schools who form…

10 Feb 2020 5 min

Think twice before falsifying a sick note

Employees found guilty of falsifying / altering handwritten notes on a medical certificate can be found guilty of committing a criminal offence punishable by law. Whilst sick leave is granted to an employee in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, such leave is not to be abused or…

10 Feb 2020 8 min

Should the Western Cape legislature increase its seats?

So the DA has proposed that the Western Cape provincial legislature (that’s provincial parliament) increase the number of seats for elected public representatives. The legislature currently has 42 seats, a number it has had since 1994. The ANC in the Western Cape has agreed, in principle, to discuss the matter…

10 Feb 2020 13 min

Part 2: Mental Health Wellness within the confines of Islam

In the second part of the series called ‘mental health within the confines of Islam’ we look at the challenges that family members face whilst living with someone who is coping with a mental disorder. VOCs Aneeqa du Plessis spoke to faroes kader* whose mother has been diagnosed with schizophrenia,…

7 Feb 2020 6 min

MJC attends presidential meeting with interfaith leaders

So, a delegation of Muslim leaders from the MJC, the Jamatiual Ulema and other bodies were part of an interfaith meeting with president Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Wednesday afternoon to discuss some pertinent issues. The meeting was meant to discuss how different faith groups can take…

7 Feb 2020 15 min

Moves to interdict AARTO act before June 2020

Now as many of you might recall, last week the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) joined us in conversation saying it supports the incoming law taking a zero-tolerance approach to drunk driving. Now it's reported that from June 2020, the new legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers will be 0%…

6 Feb 2020 13 min