Operation Wanya Tsotsi, a vigilante group in Galeshewe, faces significant challenges in combating the local drug trade, which is a major driver of crime in the area. Despite some successes, the group struggles with limited resources, lack of state support, and allegations of police corruption. Similar issues are seen in other South African communities, such as the Cape Flats, where groups like PAGAD have also taken the law into their own hands. The article highlights the complexities and limitations of these community-driven efforts to address crime and drug abuse.

In Pomfret, North West province, Angolan veterans of apartheid South Africa’s 32 Battalion, like 85-year-old Eli Viwango, live in deteriorating conditions, feeling abandoned and forgotten. The town, once a military base, now lies in ruins with basic services discontinued. Efforts to relocate residents have been met with resistance, as veterans and their families face identity crises and marginalization. The legacy of 32 Battalion, involved in human rights abuses during apartheid, continues to haunt both the veterans and the victims. Despite their controversial past, some veterans see themselves as liberators, while others, like the Khulumani Support Group, seek justice and reconciliation for the atrocities committed.

Pomfret, a former asbestos mine camp in South Africa's North West province, faces severe socioeconomic decline and health risks due to asbestos contamination. Originally settled by Angolan soldiers and their families, the town's residents have seen a steady erosion of services since the military base closed in 2000. Government relocation plans have been slow and controversial, with many residents feeling abandoned and stigmatized. The town's military heritage and association with apartheid-era abuses further complicate its future, leaving its remaining residents in a state of limbo and despair.

In Durban Deep, a defunct mining town near Johannesburg, women like Aneni face rampant gender-based violence and lawlessness. Migrants and low-income residents, cut off from support networks, endure severe poverty and crime. Despite efforts by local organizations like CLAW and WASP, the police response remains inadequate, with allegations of corruption and neglect. The community's plight is exacerbated by fears of eviction due to property developments by Dino Properties and West Wits Mining. The article highlights the urgent need for better protection and services for the residents.

Tensions over evictions at Steenvilla, Cape Town's largest social housing complex, have escalated, with residents protesting against Sohco's eviction attempts due to unpaid rent. The Constitutional Court has ruled that evictions must not leave individuals homeless, emphasizing the need for alternative accommodation. Sohco, managing Steenvilla, argues that non-payment threatens the financial sustainability of social housing. Residents, supported by Gayton McKenzie, claim unfair rent hikes and mismanagement. The City of Cape Town's relocation areas, Wolwerivier and Blikkiesdorp, face criticism for poor living conditions. The situation remains unresolved, with further evictions anticipated.

In Johannesburg's Alexandra township, tensions over housing have escalated as the Bonafide Organization is accused of illegally evicting foreign nationals from RDP houses. Local residents, including Colletha, face threats of eviction despite having legal ownership. The evictions have led to violence, with reports of deaths and injuries. Community leaders and organizations like Lawyers for Human Rights express concern over rising anti-immigrant sentiment, exacerbated by political rhetoric. The situation remains volatile, with fears of further conflict and government inaction.

Johannesburg's waste pickers, many of whom are immigrants from Lesotho, face routine harassment, discrimination, and eviction by city officials and police. Despite their significant contribution to recycling, they are often perceived as criminals due to their appearance. NGOs like WIEGO advocate for their rights, highlighting the need for inclusive waste management policies. The City of Johannesburg has initiated a registration process for waste pickers, but ongoing raids and evictions continue to undermine their efforts. The article underscores the broader issue of the criminalization of poverty and the need for better support and facilities for waste pickers.

Waste pickers in Johannesburg, primarily from Lesotho, face routine harassment, discrimination, and eviction by city officials and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department. Despite their significant contribution to recycling, they are often perceived as criminals due to their appearance. NGOs like WIEGO advocate for their rights, highlighting issues of xenophobia and the criminalization of poverty. Efforts to integrate waste pickers into the city's recycling initiatives have begun, but challenges remain, including the need for safe storage facilities and inclusive policies. The article underscores the need for a multifaceted approach to waste management in Johannesburg.

Kenyan police arrested 91 Ethiopian nationals suspected of illegal entry, believed to have been smuggled into the country. In DR Congo, journalist Samuel Sirasi was found alive but unwell after going missing. Aid agencies suspended operations in Ethiopia's Tigray region following deadly air strikes, amid ongoing conflict involving Eritrean and Ethiopian forces. Mozambique faced severe weather, resulting in casualties and significant property damage. Uganda reopened schools after nearly two years of closure due to the pandemic, with concerns about student return rates.

Congo-Brazzaville's shark population is under threat due to unregulated fishing practices, driven by the depletion of other fish stocks and increased reliance on shark meat. The situation is exacerbated by illegal encroachments by industrial trawlers, conflicts, climate change, and economic pressures. Artisanal fishermen face growing challenges, including reduced fishing areas and increased competition, impacting the livelihoods of those dependent on the fishing industry. The economic crisis, worsened by falling oil prices and Covid-19, further strains the sector, with implications for local communities and the environment.