Home Affairs working hard to provide secure and reliable population register for the country

Oscar Thomas
19 April 2014

Minister Pandor also emphasised as the department they have worked hard to try and provide a secure and reliable population register for the country. 

Minster Pandor said Home Affairs is moving towards sufficient, accessible, efficient officers to meet the needs of the people across the country. 

Pandor said our Job as Home Affairs is to create one secure national population register. Where all of us whether you are rich whether you are poor, all of us one national population register.

 

Pandor said this is the major function of this department,my desire is to have all of you on that register in order for me to secure your identity Pandor added.

New Home Affairs office opened into improve service delivery

Oscar Thomas
19 April 2014

Minister of Home Affairs Naledi Pandor on Thursday officially opened a new Home Affairs office in Mossel Bay to improve service delivery.

Pandor said this is part of government’s drive to improve quality of services especially for people in remote and rural parts of the country.

Pandor said as the ANC government we have a target of ensuring that services to our communities are at least within a 25km range or less.

We trying to ensure that where we have multi purpose centres to centres such as this one, we have service officers that are closest to communities Pandor said.

So really it’s to bring services closer to the people Pandor added.

Teen in custody after stabbing classmate to death

Oscar Thomas
19 April 2014

A 15-year-old was on Thursday arrested by the Great Brak Police after he stabbed a learner and he later died in hospital.  

The deceased identified as 15-year-old Joseph Isaacs sustained stab wounds to his chest en-route to school.It is believed that the learners were arguing about a seat on the bus when the suspect stabbed the victim with a knife in the chest. 

Captain Malcolm Pojie said Information reveals that the deceased and the suspect argued about a seat on the bus whereafter the suspect, 15, stabbed him with a knife in the chest, he said.

The stabbed pupil got off the bus next to the R102. He was later joined by his father, who accompanied an ambulance taking the boy to George Hospital.

However, attempts to save him were unsuccessful and he died in hospital. An autopsy will be conducted on the deceased's body to determine the exact cause of death.

Pojie said a 15-year-old boy was arrested after being identified by witnesses. He would be assessed by social workers later on Thursday and remained in custody at the Groot Brak River police station.

The teenager was due to appear in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

A woman hit by car in Benoni

Loyiso Langeni
18 April 2014

A woman in her late twenties sustained critical injuries when a vehicle struck her this morning on Longmore Drive in Crystal Park, Benoni.

ER24 Spokesperson Werner Vermaak said when paramedics arrived on the scene they found that bystanders have pulled her in the middle from the middle of the road.

“She sustained critical head injuries and paramedics had to stabilised before she was rushed through to nearby hospital for further medical treatment

it is understood that the vehicle collided with her when she tried to cross the road. Some of the bystanders explained that the vehicle immediately sped off after colliding with her.” Vermaak added.

The incident was handed over to the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department for investigation

Ehrenreich: Promote equality in the Western Cape

Loyiso Langeni
18 April 2014

The Congress of South African Trade Union in the Western Cape has called on the ANC to implement Employment Equity in relation to Provincial demographics. 

This is after a report released last week by the Department of Labour showed that nearly half of all senior positions in the province is filled by white males. 

Cosatu’s Tony Ehrenreich said it is only when we promote equality and justice that we create the environment for sustainable economic growth and development. 

“What Cosatu wants to see is that we must immediately implement Employment Equity that means many white people leave half of the white senior managers would like to be moved out of their jobs in government to somewhere else.

Many of the blacks in engineering industry have to make place for some white workers, general workers in that industry but we have to make sure that Western Cape is more equal and fairly represented and that employment equity is applied according to the law,” Ehrenreich added.

Traffic Operational Plan launched

Bulelani Guwa
17 April 2014

Western Cape MEC of Transport and Public Works Robin Carlisle together with the Safely Home and Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement on Thursday launched the Easter 2014 Provincial Traffic Operational Plan. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Siphesihle Dube said it is important that during this period motorists drive safely and arrive safely home. 

Dube said the focus of the operation is to ensure driver fitness, vehicle fitness, and compliance to safety, speed enforcement and targeting dangerous behaviour by drivers as well as by pedestrians.  The operation will also look at load management.

Dube concluded that they are looking at ensuring that they have lower fatalities than they had last year at this time. They have been lucky to enjoy a decrease in fatalities. Last year fatalities went down by 30 percent. Through these efforts hopefully there will be no fatalities.  

 

68 people injured in a collision

Bulelai Guwa

17 April 2014

 

An accident this morning on the N1 Southbound near Bloemfontein left 68 people seriously injured.

This is after two buses collided into each other.  Upon their arrival paramedics found it was a rear end collision.

 Netcare 911 Spokesperson Santi Steinmann said the exact details of the cause of the accident will remain the subject of a police investigation.

 “All the people were treated on scene before they were transported to various hospitals for further care” said Steinmann

Ports of entry working hours extended.

Bulelani Guwa

17 April 2014

The Department of Home Affairs has extended working hours at all ports of entry for the long Easter weekend.

Minister of Home Affairs Naledi Pandor said the hours have been extended to make sure the facilitation of movement of persons and goods in and out of the country for the Easter weekend is easy and quick.

Departmental Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa   said the extension of working hours has the implication of deployment of more staff to the ports of entry to ensure quality, effective and efficient services to people moving across South Africa’s port of entry during the Easter weekend.

"In addition the department of Home Affairs takes this opportunity to extend its best Easter wishes to all those travelling through our air, sea and land ports of entry during this period, while reiterating the national message for all to ensure they arrive alive." said Mamoepa

Three motor vehicle collision leaves one person injured

Bulelani Guwa
17 April 2014

An accident this morning at the intersection of Aliwal and Fourth Street in Bloemfontein has left one person seriously injured. 

Netcare 911 Spokesperson Santi Steinmann said when paramedics arrived on scene they found that one person had sustained serious injuries after three motor vehicles collided.

Steinmann said the patient was treated on scene before being transferred to hospital for the further medical care that he required.

The exact details of the cause of the accident will remain the subject of a police investigation.

Five men arrested for robbing a casino in Mthatha

Bulelani Guwa
17 April 2014

Eastern Cape Police today arrested five men who robbed Ritz Bingo Entertainment in Mthatha Plaza which is a casino. 

Eastern Cape Police Spokesperson Mzukisi Fatyela said the men where arrested in different areas within Mthatha. 

Fatyela said during the arrest police recovered two firearms, two millimetre pistols with eleven rounds of ammunition.

“The suspects have also been linked to other cases of armed robbery that has happened in the Mthatha area in the last few months” Fatyela added.

They are expected to appear in court soon.

Another police officer killed in Klapmuts

Loyiso Langeni
17 April 2014

A police officer was shot dead on Wednesday night after he was attacked by three unknown men at Klapmuts Police Station near Stellenbosch. 

Western Cape Police Commissioner Arno Lamoer said the officer was shot twice inside the police station. 

“The message is very clear that we cannot tolerate police officer being killed.

We ask the community to come forward to give us information so that we can solve this crime,” Lamoer added.

17 people injured in a truck collision

Loyiso Langeni
17 April 2014

Seventeen people were left seriously injured early this morning in Newcastle in KwaZulu Natal. 

This is after a construction truck overturned several times and rolled down a steep embankment.

It is believed that the driver of the construction truck apparently swerved out for a cow which led to him losing control of the truck.

ER24 Spokesperson Werner Vermaak said when paramedics arrived on the incident they found that all the people were scattered along the truck down embankment.

“With the help of the local site apartment they managed to get all of them back up to the road where they were treated.

Two of them were in a serious condition and the rest of them sustained moderate injuries. They were all transported through to local hospital for further medical care,” Vermaak added.

Missing Child Alert: Demi Timmye

Minister Sibusiso Ndebele welcomes the Bloemfontein Regional Magistrate Court ruling

Mluleki Mrwebi
17 April 2014

The decision by the Bloemfontein Regional Magistrate Court regarding electronic tagging of a South African remand detainee as an alternative to incarceration has been welcomed. 

Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said inmate population has been reduced to 156, 370 in 2013 and the incarceration rate has also declined from 403 inmates to 290 inmates. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Logan Maistry said Correctional Services Minister Sbu Ndebele has enthusiastically welcomed the court ruling to utilise the electronic monitoring awaiting inmates.

Masitry said the electronic monitoring will go a long way in ensuring that incarceration is reduced. 

Missing Adult Alert: Patrick Woodland

Missing Adult Alert: Portia Zandile Mpetha

Small bus operators to sign a memorandum

Bulelani Guwa
15 April 2014

The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the South African National Small Bus Operators Council in the province.

Western Cape MEC of Transport and Public Works Robin Carlisle said the department has identified the need to formalise the establishment of a working relationship, based on mutual understanding and respect. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Siphesihle Dube said this council was established in 2012 and is the representative body for all bus operators who own buses to the maximum of 30 which carry 35 or more people.

"The purpose of the memorandum is to incorporate these small bus operators into the transport family as it were and to provide support and encouragement and to allow them to evolve constructively and be active members of the transport fraternity” said Dube 

22 year old arrested for illegal firearms and drugs

Bulelani Guwa

16 April 2014

Cape Town police this week arrested a 22-year-old man for being in possession of illegal firearms, ammunition, drugs and cash. This follows a search by police of a known drug house in Bellville South area.

Police Spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said they are pleased with the outcome of the operation and regard the confiscations as a significant success to addressing crime in the area. 

Traut added the suspect was arrested on Monday night at 20h30. The suspect was found to be in possession of six illegal firearms.

“A total amount of cash R63000 was also found in his possession. The suspect is due to make a court appearance once he has been charged.” said Traut.

Cape Chamber disappointed by Commission for Employment Equity report

Oscar Thomas
16 April 2014

The Cape Chamber of Commerce today said it is disappointed by the 14^th report of the Commission for Employment Equity.

President of the Chamber Janine Myburgh said the report will do little to promote the real development of the country’s human resources.

Myburgh said we get the impression that the Commission is looking at the incorrect things what we should really be looking at is the future and how to bring on and develop the next generation of managers.

"The report itself was sloppy and was not properly checked this could be seen in the highlights which contain two versions of the same paragraph while another paragraph was simply repeated" Myburgh added.

Myburgh said clearly something is wrong but the Commission seems to be more concerned about race and numbers than rather trying to understand the current situation in workplace.

Man found guilty for raping his mother

Oscar Thomas
16 April 2014

A 31 year Dutywa man was found guilty by the Butterworth Regional Magistrate court for raping his mother.

The 31 year old accused was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Butterworth regional magistrate court on Friday 11 April 2014.

Eastern Cape police Spokesperson Jackson Manatha said the accused cannot be named as that will reveal the identity of his mother who is the victim of this rape.

Manatha said it is alleged that the accused who is the son of the victim came from his friends at about 1 o clock in the morning.

“Demanded food which was given to him, after finishing the food he then went to his room. He then left his room wanting some matchsticks to light his cigarette, but instead of returning to his room he then raped his mother. After he had raped her he put her in his room where he raped her for the second time”. Manatha added.

14 people injured on their way home

Loyiso Langeni
16 April 2014

ER24 paramedics responded to taxi accident near Kempton Park in Johannesburg on Tuesday whereby fourteen people were injured. 

It is believed that the taxi carrying the passengers overturned several times resulting in some people being ejected from the taxi. 

ER24 Spokesperson Russel Meiring said the vehicle had apparently rolled numerous times, ejecting some of the occupants.

Meiring added that Emergency workers treated the two critical patients providing them with advanced life support before immobilizing them on spine boards. They were transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment.

He also said the remaining patients sustained minor to moderate injuries. They were treated and transported by various services on scene.

 

A man died in an aircraft crash in Melkbosstrand

Mluleki Mrwebi
16 April 2014

A man tragically died when the aircraft he was in crashed and burst into flames near the M19 in Melkbosstrand late on Tuesday.

ER24 Spokesperson Russel Meiring said paramedics arrived to find that the aircraft was in blaze and firefighters were called to extinguish the fire.

Meiring further said the man died on the scene.

The exact details of the cause of the accident will remain the subject of a police investigation.  

Provincial liquor legislation proposed amendment

Bulelani Guwa
15 April 2014

The Western Cape Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism will this Wednesday be holding public hearings on the draft of the Provincial Liquor Amendment Bill. 

MEC Alan Winde said the public hearings will assist the department with issues raised to ensure that there are no unintended consequences after full implementation. 

Winde said they have drafted some amendments and they want to go out to the public to ask the public, specifically those involved in the sale of liquor; those involved in the licensing of liquor to comment on this piece of proposed legislation. This will happen on Wednesday in City of Cape Town Civic Centre Hall at 9am, at the George Civic Centre on the 22 April and at the Saldahna Bay Community Centre on 25 April.

“We really  want to engage the public involved in alcohol sales and trade so we can make meaningful amendments that will try and make this a much better piece of legislation” said Winde

Two arrested for possessing unlicensed firearms.

Bulelani Guwa

15 April 2014

Eastern Cape Police arrested two suspects aged 26 and 28 who were found to be in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.  The arrest was part of the Mthatha SAPS intelligence-driven operation.

The suspects have already been linked to several armed robbery cases in Ngcobo, Port St Johns, Mqanduli and Ngqeleani. 

Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said they confiscated a vehicle that was reported to have been hijacked in Port Elizabeth some time in January/ February.  They recovered stamps that belonged to Home Affairs and a balaclava that they suspect to be linked to some of the robberies.

Fatyela added that after the arrest, the suspects have been linked to 12 cases of robberies and arm robberies. Police also recovered a scheming device used in card cloning.

Zou Kota attend a sod turning in Nyanga

Oscar Thomas
15 April 2014

The Deputy Minister Of Human Settlements Zou Kota today was at the sod turning in Nyanga East Cape Town.Kota said they will build a house for a women who is morbidly obese and lives in a shack.

The ANC coucillor in the area also attended the sod turning ceremony and agreed that the woman has been struggling to get out of her house for years.

Kota said she is one of those people who forms part of the vulnerable groups that we speak about in government.

“Who are not able to build houses for themselves.It is a worse case scenario because she lives under extremely bad conditions which Human Settlements said was important ,to take her out of her current shack and take her to hospital for further treatment.

The key is that we building her a house that will make life easier for her and disability,” Kota added.

WC plan for Easter Holidays

Oscar Thomas

15 April 2014

In order to try and curb road deaths during Easter weekend the City of Cape Town Traffic Services together with the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works will be conducting free vehicle checks to public transport operators.

Provincial Departments Director of Road Safety Management Mark Jansen said this test is not to arrest anyone but to identify any mechanical issues in a vehicle.

“We will be doing safety checks and issuing the vehicles with speakers only vehicles that have got speakers will be allowed to load passengers from the Joe Gqabi transport interchange in Phillipi,” Jansen added.

He further added that the rest of the vehicles of the public transport that are taking people out of the Western Cape through the Cape Town Metro-poll will be tested on different side namely Joostenberg Vlakte Way Bridge on the N1. Huguenot Tunnel on the N1 and Somerset West way bridge on the N2.The other testing facilities will be conducted by the City of Cape Town

 

A 10 year old child hit by a taxi in Pinetown

Loyiso Langeni
15 April 2014

Netcare 911 paramedics and other services responded to an accident scene in Pinetown, whereby a 10 year-old child was knocked down by a taxi on the M13 west bound this morning.

Netcare 911 Spokesperson Chris Botha said when they arrived on scene they found the body lying in the road. Reports indicate that the child was on his way to school.

“He ran around the front of the vehicle and tried to run across the when he was hit by another taxi,” Botha added

Botha further added that after they examined him they found that he had tragically died due to the extensive injuries that he sustained.

A 19 year old arrested for murdering his mother in Khayelitsha

Loyiso Langeni
15 April 2014

A 44 year old female was allegedly stabbed to death by her 19 year old son in Khayelitsha.

The two allegedly argued over her bath. The mother had had stroke and was unable to do much for herself.

Police Spokesperson Andre Traut said he was arrested yesterday for murdering his mother.

The teen’s cousin said although the 19 year old was epileptic, he had no mental disabilities and was not a drug user.

Tlhabologang township gets electricity

Loyiso Langeni
15 April 2014

North West Premier Thandi Modise on Monday switched on electricity in Tlhabologang, this follows the completion of Phase 1 of the electrification project. 

Modise Spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said the project has so far benefited 1 830 households in the Tlhabologang Township. 

“The delivery of the R36 million project by Eskom will reduce crime, fire disaster incidents we had experienced in the area and restore the dignity of the residents most of whom are farm workers who were evicted from neighbouring farms,” Kgwele Added.

He also said the project was implemented from the budget of R2 billion, one hundred and forty-one million that was allocated by government towards the National Integrated electrification programme for new connections across the country in the past financial year.

Knysna Police are seeking information about a hijacking

Mluleki Mrwebi
15 April 2014

Knysna Police are seeking information regarding a recent hijacking which took place in Sandpiper Street in the industrial area. 

A 49-year-old man was hijacked after he was returning to his vehicle after withdrawing an undisclosed amount of money from an ATM. 

Captain Malcolm Pojie said the suspect took the victim out of the car and two other suspects joined in and ran off with the car.

Pojie added that the car was found abandoned in the and no one has been arrested as yet.

DA- Removal of neighbours at Nkandla creates suspicion

Mluleki Mrwebi
15 April 2014

The Democratic Alliance on Monday said the relocation of neighbours of President Jacob Zuma who lived next to his Nkandla home creates further suspicion. 

It has come out in a parliamentary reply that during the Nkandla upgrades neighbours were moved to the cost of R7 million. 

DA MP of Public Works Anchen Dreyer said South Africans deserve to know the truth. 

Dreyer said the question is why it was necessary to remove people and that creates suspicion about what was really happening there.

WC government disputes economic growth claims

Bulelani Guwa
15 April  2014

Western Cape MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde said claims made by ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe that economic growth in the province has been reversed is not true. 

MEC Winde said the province is leading the country when it comes to job creation and economic growth.  He added that since the end of 2012 unemployment population in the province has shrunk by 48 000.

Winde added that since 2009, 270 000 jobs have been created. In the last quarter of the labour force survey that was issued up until December in the whole of South Africa 141 000 jobs were created and of those jobs 98 000 were created in the Western Cape. 43 000 were created in all other 8 provinces put together.

“This province has the lowest unemployment rate in South Africa the average in SA is 34 % and this province sits at 22%” said Winde. 

FAWU says retrenchment is unacceptable

Bulelani Guwa

14 April 2014

The Food and Allied Workers Union said it is unacceptable that the South African Breweries is planning to retrench 1 400 jobs of the 3 600 permanent jobs through its comprehensive restructuring programme. 

Fawu General Secretary Katishi Masemola said it is further disturbing that on top of possible retrenchment the workers have seen added workload to their jobs.

Modise said there cannot be retrenchment of such a size leaving a high rate of unemployment in South Africa. This is why they are looking at ways and means of avoiding these job losses.

Modise added they will be proposing a meeting with the directors of SA Breweries and ABI to find some settlement that will mitigate against such huge job losses. 

MEC Madikizela responds to allegations of housing project

Bulelani Guwa
14 April 2014

Western Cape MEC of Human Settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela has responded to allegations made by Minister of Housing Connie September, that there is poor workmanship at the Wallacedene Nomzabalazo Housing Project.  Minister September visited the project last week.

MEC Madikizela said allegations regarding poor workmanship could possibly relate to the other phase of the project and this will be addressed. 

Madikizela added that it is one of the projects that were left unblocked during the ANC administration. In his budget speech he spoke about 46 block projects that he inherited and took over and this project is one of them.

“It was blocked because of the failure of the previous administration to monitor the PAP projects and make sure that they are registered with the NHBRC as we have done with this administration” said Madikizela. 

Missing Adult Alert: Kaylin Smit

Missing Adult Alert: Frederick Peter Daniels

NW Premier applauds positive response learners

Bulelani Guwa
14 April 2014

North West Premier Thandi Modise said she is encouraged by the positive response by learners and educators who have returned to school today. This is after a string of violent protest in Bloemhof which claimed the life of one person.

Modise said they will be following up on all issues which were raised during an engagement with the community over the weekend. 

Modise’s spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele  said Premier Modise is hopeful that all learners in the area will be in school by tomorrow after  provincial education authorities reported a 98% attendance.

“The recovery plan tailor made according to the learning and teaching times lost at each and every one of the over 45 schools should ensure that the province is on track to claim the top spot in the matric results at the end of the year. She said that anarchists who have hijacked genuine concerns of our communities in pursuit of their personal interests without regard for the future of our children and the rule of law should be isolated” Lesiba added.

86-year-old elderly woman raped in Rosemore George

Oscar Thomas
14 April 2014

Police in George are on a manhunt for a suspect believed to be involved in the rape of an 86-year-old elderly woman in Rosemore George.

It is believed that the woman was raped in her home after she was woken up by a sound of breaking glass at her bedroom window. When the 86-year-old went to investigate she found the suspect walking towards her and that is when he odered her to lay down. The suspect covered her mouth and raped her.

Captain Malcolm Pojie said we also investigating all clues that have been gathered at the scene. The only description we have of the suspect currently is that he is short, bold, coloured man.

We appeal to anybody with information to call the local police station or the FCS unit 044 803 4618.

Two people left seriously injured on the N1

Oscar Thomas
14 April 2014

Two people were left seriously injured in an accident on the N1 by the Atterbury Road today.

Netcare 911 Spokesperson Santi Steinmann said upon the arrival on scene they found that a motor vehicle had collided with the barrier and then overturned.

Steinmann said the two occupants of the motor vehicle were found to be in a serious condition and after receiving treatment on scene they were rushed to hospital for further medical care.

The exact details of the cause of the accident will remain the subject of a police investigation.

MEC fritz reacts to Cosatu's statement

Oscar Thomas
14 April 2014

The Western Cape MEC of Social Development Albert Fritz said he takes strong exception to a statement released by Cosatu critising the provincial government for not attending the youth summit which was held on Friday.

MEC Fritz said he received an invitation to attend the summit without a platform on which to engage the audience about what the province is doing in terms of youth development.

Fritz said one important pillar is the pillar of family and getting the family right and getting family programmes through the social development rolled out so that we can reincoporate and reintergrate young people back with their families but build a family and a build a misunderstanding that many a times exist in the family.

“The Second fundimental piller of the youth strategy is to look at how do we create opportunities for young people, create a forum or space for young people to access oppertunities” Fritz added.

Missing Adult Alert: Allerece Fray

Missing Child Alert: Kim Swarts

MyCiti bus service to be rolled out in Atlantis

Loyiso Langeni
14 April 2014

Today City of Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille will be launching the MyCiti bus service to Atlantis. 

City of Cape Town Spokesperson Priya Reddy said there has been an exceptional interest in the MyCiti service in Atlantis with over 1 000 my connect cards being issued to residents last week. 

Reddy said it is a very significant day for the city today as the roll-out of the launch of the MyCiti in Atlantis.

“We have already done Hangberg, Hout Bay and Imizamo Yethu recently we are looking forward to Khayelitsha and Mitchell's Plain in July. But this Atlantis route is a particularly important one for us, as we seek to give people safe reliable and affordable transport they can access the economic and other opportunities in the city.” Reddy.