LRC Press Releases

Court challenge to laws on chiefs' land powers

FOUR rural communities are challenging the constitutionality of two acts of Parliament in a landmark case, the outcome of which will affect the lives of an estimated 21-million people living under traditional leadership.

Neels Blom,  Business Day 14/10/2008 Read article >>

'Kreef Wn for Minister

A bid to overturn the granting of temporary kreef fishing rights to about 1 000 traditional fishermen was rejected by the Cape high court yesterday.

The Star, Business Report 09/10/2008 Read article >>

The AmaDiba Community Appeals Against the Award of a Mining Right to Transworld Energy and Mineral Resources

On behalf of the AmaDiba Crisis Committee (the ACC) and its members, the Grahamstown office of the Legal Resources Centre filed a Notice of Appeal with the Minister of Minerals and Energy (the Minister) on 2 September 2008. The ACC requested the Minister to suspend and then appeal the decision, signed by the Regional Manager of the Eastern Cape (the Regional Manager), to award a mining right to Transworld Energy and Mineral Resources (SA) (Pty) Ltd. (TEM) (pending the determination of its appeal and ultimately requesting the Minister to set aside the Director General’s decision to grant a mining right.).

02/09/2008 Read article >>

Gala Dinner Honouring Dr Albertina Sisulu and Lady Felicia Kentridge

On 9 August 2008, the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) celebrated Women’s Day and the beginning of its 30th anniversary with a gala dinner specially organized to celebrate the achievements and contributions of two leading anti-apartheid women – Dr Albertina Sisulu and Lady Felicia Kentridge.

15/08/2008 Read article >>

Candidate Attorneys at the LRC Winter Law School Programme

I am a second year Candidate Attorney at the Legal Resources Centre in Cape Town. I attended the five (5) week Winter Law School Programme, which was offered jointly by the Mandela Institute of the School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand and Seattle University School of Law. This programme provides an intensive introduction to global human rights advocacy from an African perspective. I completed two courses, namely, Legal Writing and Advanced Constitutional Jurisprudence and Litigation.

Stacey-Leigh Manoek,  20/09/2008 Read article >>

Riemvasmaak a good thing worth waiting for

It was twelve years ago that Peter Goldsmid first came across the Riemvasmaak community of the Northern Cape and the dramatic story of its forced exodus in the ‘seventies under the infamous policy of “black spot removal”. He was making a fund-raising documentary for the Legal Resources Centre, a group of human rights lawyers fighting for the rights of victims of apartheid. Riemvasmaak was one of their successes, because in 1994 they represented the community at the Commission on Land Claims and helped them get their land back.

Peter Goldsmid,  06/08/2008 Read article >>

Celebrating Justice for All - The LRCs Fundraising Art Auction

From the 1st – 17th of August 2008, the Legal Resources Centre held an on-line fundraising art auction. Artists ranging from young and up-and-coming Tafadzwa Mukwashi, in her second year at the University of Cape Town who has held successful exhibitions, to those more established and internationally recognized such as William Kentridge, donated their paintings, photographs and sculptures. Authors, whose names are familiar to many in Africa and beyond such as Nelson Mandela, George Bizos and Nadine Gordimer, also donated autographed books.

01/08/2008 Read article >>

The Prevention of the Erosion of Human Rights - A Discussion Panel

On 5 August 2008, the Legal Resources Center and the Goethe-Institut, Johannesburg hosted a discussion panel on “The Prevention of the Erosion of Human Rights”. Professor Adam Habib of the University of Johannesburg was the moderator and the panel included feminist activist Pregs Govender, novelist Nuruddin Farah and social commentator Xolela Mangcu.

05/08/2008 Read article >>

Our Condolences to Ms Grootbooms Family

The Legal Resources Centre first met Ms Irene Grootboom when we acted on behalf of the South African Humans Rights Commission, the friend of the court in the Constitutional Court case of Grootboom. By this time we had learned of her courage and determination. And though she didn’t realise the fruits of her struggle, her contribution to the assertion of socio-economic rights opened a path from which we can never turn back. We acknowledge this contribution. Ms Grootboom, aged 39, passed away on July 30, 2008. Our deepest condolences go to her family and friends. We are thinking of you in this difficult time. The Legal Resources Centre.

08/08/2008 Read article >>

Press Statement - Occupants of Joe Slovo Informal Settlement appeal at Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court, on Thursday 21 August 2008, will hear an appeal against an order granted by Judge John Hlophe on 10 March 2008 evicting approximately 20 000 occupants of the Joe Slovo Informal Settlement alongside the N2 highway to Cape Town. The evictions, due to start a week after the judgment was handed down, didn’t occur as an application for leave to appeal was brought.

15/08/2008 Read article >>