Families
lose appeal against eviction - 26 February
A group of families who lived as backyard dwellers in Grassy
Park have lost an appeal against their eviction by the City of
Cape Town and their relocation to Happy Valley. Jennifer
Tango and 39 others appealed in the Western Cape High Court
against the June 2008 ruling of Judge Tandaswa Ndita that Happy
Valley in Blackheath was reasonable alternative accommodation
for them, as suggested by the City of Cape Town. Judges
Elizabeth Baartman, Andre le Grange and Burton Fourie found the
eviction was justified and that it would be incorrect to allow
new evidence at this stage. - IOL
website
Molester
gets off with R10 000 fine - 26 February
Three years ago Cape Town photographer and film-maker Neil
Hermann was convicted of molesting the then six-year-old girl
over 14 months from 2003 to 2004. He was sentenced to four years
in prison, but appealed, and two days ago the Western Cape High
Court substituted a R10 000 fine. Yesterday, the girl's mother,
who may not be named to protect the identity of her daughter,
said the court's decision had made her question the justice
system. - IOL website