Four officials identified after they were caught firing shots at women

The four police officers who were caught on camera opening fire on women and children using a shotgun have been identified and arrested.

The incident took place in Delft on a Saturday night last month, the cops were also seen slapping a 17-year-old girl during the incident in Crocodile Street.

IPID spokesperson Grace Langa said the four members of SAPS appeared today at Bellville Magistrate’s Court on charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and common assault.

Langa explained that the women were sitting outside their home chatting when they approached.

 "its alleged that the officers, four of them, drove past the ladies and greeted them. After greeting, one of the officers asked if they wanted to take a ride with them,” she said.

When woman rejected their advances- they got out of their vehicles and started assaulting them. One of the victims sustained injury to the stomach from a rubber bullet.  The officers were released on warning and will be back in court next year on February 16.

by Everngelista Muza

Eskom to Implement Stage 4 of Load Shedding As of Wednesday

Eskom will implement stage 4 of load shedding starting from 12 mid-day on Wednesday up until 5am on Friday.

The power utility said in an alert that stage 4 rolling blackouts would start on Wednesday and continue until Friday. Thereafter load-shedding will continue on stage 2 up until 5am on Saturday.

This comes after a statement by Eskom on social media said that “Over the past 24 hours a unit each at Medupi, Kusile and Matla power stations tripped, while a unit each at Lethabo and Arnot power stations were forced to shut down. Which led to a constrained power system requiring extensive use of emergency reserves and, therefore, hampering the recovery of these reserve.

The total breakdowns currently amount to 14 957MW while planned maintenance is 5 301MW of capacity. Eskom has urged everyone to continue using electricity wisely.

Done by Lucille Dyosi 

Man arrested for kidnapping insurance workers

Five employees were rescued on Monday after being held hostage at Twin City Mall in Bloemfontein.

An insurance manager and his stuff were held hostage for almost 2 hours by a 39-year-old man demanding the immediate payout of his pension.

According police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele the Heidedal police received a distress call from the mall just before 4pm.

“A SAPS hostage negotiator, K9 and Public Order Policing Unit members were called to the scene as well as emergency medical services. The hostage negotiator attempted to defuse the situation but with no success, until the Tactical Response Team was summoned to safely ensure the safety of the victims,” said Makhele.

“At about 17:20, the team arrived and managed to take control of the situation by safely securing the suspect’s 4-year-old son and the five employees of the insurance company free of any injuries.”

By Everngelista Muza

Eskom stage 2 load shedding resumes to Saturday

Eskom said Stage 2 power cuts will start at 9am on Tuesday and continue until Saturday. The power utility said that this was due to a shortage of generation capacity.

Eskom said that while it had managed to return a unit at each of its power stations Kusile, Matimba and Arnot power stations, delays on other units to service had exacerbated the capacity constraints. This was affecting the utility's ability to replenish the emergency generation reserves.

Eskom has assured South Africans that the power cuts would be kept to a minimum during the local government elections next Monday.

by Everngelista Muza

12 year old boy in hospital following shootout between rival gangs

A 12-year-old boy in recovery following a shootout between ongoing-rival gangs in Bonteheuwel.

He got caught in a crossfire after he sustained several gunshot wounds during Sunday evening's gun battle.

The police's Joseph Swartbooi: "Police units responded to a complaint at about 20.50pm near to Yellowwood Street in Bonteheuwel as a result of local gang members firing shots upon each other. In the process, a 12-year-old boy sustained gunshot wounds and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment."

By Everngelista Muza

57 suspects arrested in western cape alone- over the weekend

Western Cape police conducted several crime operations in crime infested areas over the weekend.

This resulted in the arrest of 57 suspects on a variety of charges including murder, attempted murder, possession of firearms and drugs and the seizure of more than 1200 litres of alcohol from premises which operated outside the boundaries of the law. An assortment of drugs comprising tik, mandrax and dagga were also confiscated.

Police Spokesperson,  Andre Traut says the arrests were made in Delft, Gugulethu and Brown’s Farm. He said unlicensed firearm was seized from a man who was shot and killed when he attempted to hijack a motorist in Brown’s Farm.

The suspects will appear in various courts on Monday.

by Everngelista Muza

Teen girl found alive witha slit throat

The Strandfontein Community Policing Forum (CPF)urged people to not go to the infamous Lucannon Drive this comes after a 15-year-old was discovered on Sunday with a slit to her throat.

CPF chairperson Sandy Schuter-Flowers said they were saddened by the incident but not surprised as the vicinity was known to be a crime hot spot at night. He said they often see couples in that area and hope this incident will scare people off.

At about 6am they received an emergency call, and found her body extremely cold but alive. EMS was quickly called to the scene and  the girl was safely transported to the hospital.

Police said motive for the attempted murder is yet to be know

 

 by Everngelista Muza

 

 

 

 

 

 

City Power has backtracked on its commitment to protect customers from stage one and stage two power cuts following a meeting with Eskom.

The two utilities met on yesterday after City Power promised customers that it would not cut off power to Joburg residents despite Eskom's instruction that it had to extend the power cuts to Tuesday morning.

In its initial explanation, City Power said that it recently signed an extension of a power purchase agreement with the Kelvin power station, which would help it keep the lights on.

However, angry cutomers lashed out at the utility on social media over the weekend when they had to put up with rolling blackouts like the rest of the country.

Meanwhile Stage 2 load shedding has been suspended this morning but Eskom will be switching off power again tonight and tomorrow to replenish energy reserves for the week ahead. 

 

Western Cape police onducted several crime operations in crime infested areas.

This resulted in the arrest of 57 suspects on a variety of charges including murder, attempted murder, possession of firearms and drugs and the seizure of more than 1200 litres of alcohol from premises which operated outside the boundaries of the law. An assortment of drugs comprising tik, mandrax and dagga were also confiscated.

Police Spokesperson,  Andre Traut says the arrests were made in Delft, Gugulethu and Brown’s Farm.

Traut says an unlicensed firearm was seized from a man who was shot and killed when he attempted to hijack a motorist in Brown’s Farm.

Traut says the suspects will appear in various courts on Monday.

New Covid – 19 Cases identified in South Africa Over the Past 24 hours

The department of health has reported that a cumulative number of Covid – 19 cases identified in South Africa over the past 24 hours are sitting at 2,9 million with 300 new cases reported. 

Eleven more people have died after contracting the virus, taking South Africa's known death toll to 88,925.

On the vaccine front, 21.3 million jabs have been administered in the country so far. Teenagers aged 12 years to 17-year-old forming part of those vaccination numbers in the country have been made eligible to take their vaccines by government from the past week.

Done by Lucille Dyosi

Vooma vaccination drive fails to meet target

18 719 COVID-19 vaccines were administered in South Africa on Sunday, the health Minster Dr Joe Phaahla said most of those were for people who are now fully vaccinated.

Although the Vooma Weekend vaccine drive is far below the 300 000 daily vaccinations target aimed at by the government.

11,5 million people in South Africa are now fully vaccinated – having received either the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccines or the second dose of the Pfizer vaccines.

The NICD says 300 new cases of the coronavirus were reported and that the rate of spread of the virus at this stage remains low with the test positivity rate at 1.4%.

by Everngelista muza

Stage 2 load shedding suspended

Stage 2 load shedding was suspended on Monday morning although Eskom said it will be switching off power again on the same evening and Tuesday to replenish energy reserves for the week ahead. The power utility says a unit at its Koeberg plant went offline the day before, putting its aging and unreliable infrastructure under more pressure.

More than a week ago Eskom suspended load-shedding, but warned South Africans it could be forced to implement the power cuts at the very last minute as there were still significant risks to its system.

by Everngelista Muza

One million rand Library launched in Mossel Bay

Western Cape MEC of cultural affairs and sport Anroux Marais, alongside the acting executive mayor of the Mossel Bay Municipality Alderman Dirk Kotza, aswell as department officials have opened a new library in Brandwag.

The library is centrally located within the community, in order to allow access for all, and is valued at just over R1 million.

In a statement released, the Western Cape Government said the library boasts a book stock of 3 535 copies, worth R317 389.36; ICT equipment worth R49 516.07; and its infrastructure cost of R650 000.

MEC of cultural affairs and sport Anroux Marais and acting executive mayor Alderman Dirk Kotze have said that public libraries highlight the cultural, educational and recreational aspects of the library services, offered by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport,and they have prioritised increasing the number of facilities available, as libraries serve as the hub of gainful opportunities in communities, across the province.

Done by Lizeka Tsotetsi

Twenty three children hospitalized after a collision

KwaZulu-Natal has seen a number of incidents involving buses.

On Thurday twenty-three children were taken to hospitals in Durban after a taxi collided with an SUV this in the early hours, causing serious injuries to the students on their way to school. Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

Earlier this week, more than 50 people have been injured in a bus crash near the Umkomaas Valley. The commuters were traveling on the R56 when their bus crashed on Monday night. Last week, a bus that was on the way to Johannesburg from Durban crashed on the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal. Nine people died in the crash and 60 people were injured

by Everngelista Muza

Four arrested for drugs worth R40 000

Western Cape police arrested four suspects after they were found to be concealing drugs.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said  in Impala Street in Ceres, two man and two woman were arrested on charges of dealing in drugs with an estimated amount of R40 00. According to police the suspects will be making their first court appearance on Thurday.

In a separate incident, five suspects were arrested in Kraifontein on charges of attempted murder, possession of a unlicensed firearm and ammunition and discharging a firearm in a residential area.

By Everngelista Muza

Deployment of police force does nothing to cease killing in Mamelodi

A provincial police task team has ben stationed in Mamelodi to investigate gang-related murders for six weeks and no arrests have been made.

There's been a spate of killings and attempted murders of people suspected of being part of a local gang.

In September, Gauteng police commissioner Elias Mawela assigned a task team of crime intelligence and organised crime units. This was after the first incident in which two men were shot dead in August.

However since the deployment, more people have been murdered, with the latest shooting happening on 10 October.

by Everngelista Muza

Vaccination will not be rolled out at schools

The National Department of Health says it will not roll out COVID-19 vaccinations at schools, for now, to avoid disruption to critical schooling.  

Children between the ages of 12 and 17 can now get their Pfizer vaccine at their nearest vaccination site.

The Health Department is adamant that its decision this group is within the law, saying it’s concerned that members of the public are blowing their fears out of proportion.

According to the Children’s Act, those who are older than 12 can get medical attention and treatment without the consent of a guardian.

Spokesperson for the Minister of Health Foster Mohale has urged the youth to go and vaccinate especially since a possible fourth wave still looms and the death toll thus far is still being debated.

The official number of people who succumbed to COVID-19 related complications is 88 000 according to the Health Department.

by Everngelista Muza

UCT approves Proposal for Mandatory vaccination

UCT vice-chancellor, Mamokgethi Phakeng.has announced  that All (UCT) students and staff must get their COVID-19 vaccine shots by 1 January 2022

Phakeng said that at a meeting last weekend, the council discussed this complex matter fully, taking into consideration a range of diverse views.

Vaccine mandates have become issue in the country.

UCT's Elijah Moholola has confirmed that the UCT council has approved in principle a proposal requiring that all staff as a condition of being able to perform their duties and all students as a condition of registration provide acceptable proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

Done by Lizeka Tsotetsi 

Education MEC hopes for no more disruptions as Matric exams begin

With the constant threat of load shedding, Education MEC Debbie Schafer has called on Eskom to do everything it can to prevent blackouts. She said the Department of Basic Education is engaging with Eskom in the hope of preventing power supply disruption this year.

Schafer said that the department was also concerned about protests which were usually more frequent in election years.

The Western Cape Education Department , grade 12 learners couldn't afford any more disruptions especially with the effect of covid on schooling.

Exams started yesterday, with more than 10,000 learners across the province completing their Computer Applications Technology practical.

Suspect arrested for starting a fire that killed man and toddler

 An Eastern Cape man who allegedly torched a home and caused the death of two people will be appearing making his first court appearance on wednesday.

The 32-year-old suspect was wanted by police after the incident on Sunday morning.

According to the provincial police spokesperson, Captain Gerda Swart said the suspect faces charges of murder, attempted murder and arson. it is alleged that the suspect allegedly set a home alight in Oliver Street in Blikkiesdorp, Kariega.

Some of the occupants managed to break down the back door and escaped.  However a family friend, aged 30 years old, went back into the house to rescue a 3-year-old boy but unfortunately burned to death.

The suspect was subsequently arrested on Monday evening in Bloza, Rocklands just outside Gqeberha.

Swart said while police officers were executing the arrest, officers were informed by a complainant that the same suspect also allegedly stabbed him a few days ago.

 

Western Cape's EMS launches mobile vaccination project, Vaxi Taxi

The Western Cape government has launched a vaccination mobile taxi. Which it strives to get at least 70% of the Western Cape residents vaccinated in December.

The purpose of the vaccine campaign project is to make it easier for those who are unable to reach their vaccination sites also making it accessible to every part of the Western Cape Province.

The project which could be described as a pop-up vaccination campaign, commenced on 4 September 2021, and to date 1 042 vaccines have been administered as a result of the community initiative.

The EMS Vaxi Taxi program started out when the volunteers and EMS officials administered vaccinations at community soup kitchens, markets and whilst conducting home visits in various communities.

EMS director Dr Shaheem De Vries said he is excited to have collaborated with the department of education and corporate partners for the department to provide opportunities for vaccination to communities.

“We are honoured to work alongside the rest of our health colleagues in taking the vaccine campaign to the streets. We see this as an important opportunity to build stronger relationships with our communities and, in so doing, help keep one another safe. I am also thrilled that we have the opportunity to team up with the Department of Education and corporate partners, and we look forward to providing more opportunities for vaccinations to communities in the Western Cape.’’

De Vries further explained that each Vaxi Taxi site consists of two ambulances, one used as a primary vaccination section and  the other a secondary vaccination and resuscitation section.

The site also contains an equipped gazebo and administrative section.

Meanwhile, project leader for the EMS Vaxi Taxi project leader, Wayne Philander, said they are working with community partners to identify locations to offer Covid-19 Vaccines.

“We have been working with our community partners to identify locations to offer the COVID-19 vaccines in and our goal is to reach every corner of the Western Cape. The aim of the EMS Vaxi Taxi is to serve communities and ensure that it reaches as many individuals as possible, whether it be at their workplaces and educational institutions, meeting people where they are.’’

PICTURE: WCGH

Done By: Lucille Dyosi & Mitchum George

Zakhele Clinic ''does not meet the necessary ventilation standards''; temporarily suspends child and women's health services

The City of Cape Town’s Health Department has temporarily suspended child and women’s health services at Zakhele Clinic in Khayelitsha until further notice.

According to the City, this clinic does not meet the necessary ventilation standards.

The suspension takes effect on Monday 18 October 2021.

‘’Occupational health and safety standards at our primary health care facilities is a priority for the City.Additionally, in order to ensure compliance with the Protection Of Personal Information (POPI) Act, in terms of patient records, an additional filing room is required in order to safeguard patient information,’’ said Mayco member for community services and health, Dr. Zahid Badroodien.

The TB and HIV services, which have a separate reception area, will continue to function.

Clients will be referred to alternative facilities in the area in the meantime. These facilities include Town 2 Clinic, Site B Community Health Centre and the Michael Mapongwana Community Day Centre.

Badroodien added that staff on site will be available to assist clients with referral letters and address any questions they may have.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Avian flu sees WC authorities collect 1 400 dead birds over weekend

Western Cape authorities along with multiple partners collected about 1 400 dead birds over the past weekend.

This comes after an ongoing outbreak of Avian Influenza amongst wild seabirds. The virus was first detected in wild seabirds in May 2021.

The Western Cape’s Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, suspects that the mass fatalities is due to the beginning of breeding season.

The main hotspots are in the Bergrivier Municipality and Dyer Island in the Overberg.

Bredell says authorities have been working all weekend to clean up suspected outbreaks and remove dead and sick birds in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

“It is critical to prevent the spread of the disease. This means people must not attempt to assist or transport any sick birds. This remains a serious situation with the impact hard felt amongst endangered wild birds particularly cormorants. This is an incurable disease affecting birds, that is not preventative, cannot be treated and is highly contagious to birds.”

The Disaster Management Centre urges the public to be vigilant and report unusual mortalities in any birds to their local municipality, conservation authority or state veterinarian.  Contact details for state veterinarians are available at https://www.elsenburg.com/services-and-programmes/veterinary-services-0#s=Animal-Health-and-Disease-Control

 

Done By: Mitchum George

3 arrested for shooting in M/Plain; Officials to meet with police commisioner

Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, and the Western Cape’s Community Safety MEC, Albert Fritz, will be meeting with the Western Cape, Police Commissioner, Major General, Thembisile Patekile, to receive a briefing on the police’s response following a drive-by shooting in Mitchells Plain on Saturday.

Gunmen in a green Honda Ballade fired at people attending a 21^st birthday party in Montclair Road, Mandalay. During the shooting, a 24-year-old woman was killed, and seven others aged between 5 and 26 were injured. The attack is believed to be gang-related.

The police have since launched a 72-hour Activation Plan, which resulted in three people being arrested.

‘’In pursuit of the suspects, Anti-Gang Unit detectives conducted a tracing operation last (Sunday) night and arrested the suspects aged 22, 35 and 38 who are all from Mitchells Plain. Once charged, the suspects are expected to make their court appearances in Mitchells Plain on charges of murder and attempted murder,’’ said Colonel Andrè Traut

Premier Winde has welcomed the arrest and says no stone must be left unturned in ensuring that all those responsible are brought to book.

“We are devastated by the news of this mass shooting, which claimed the life of one person and injured many others, including young children. No stone must be left unturned in ensuring that all those responsible are brought to book and end up behind bars. We will therefore be meeting with the Provincial Commissioner to receive an update on the implementation of the 72-hour action plan and SAPS’ plans going forward. We welcome the swift arrest of 3 suspects following a tracing operation last night by the anti-gang unit and we will be looking to find out what proactive steps crime intelligence will be taking to prevent this horrific incident from repeating itself. We cannot allow our communities to live in a constant state of fear and to be terrorised by gangsters.”

MEC Fritz has called on those to come forward should they have any information regarding this matter.

“We will never accept that this kind of violence is normal. Violence has absolutely no place in our society and I call on the community to come forward and share any information they might have which will result in the successful prosecution of those guilty parties.”

Fritz says his department will be opening a court watching brief.

“My Department will be opening a court watching brief unit to monitor these court processes to ensure that this matter is not simply struck off the court roll, but that where inefficiencies do appear, that they are instead spotted and addressed. We want convictions. We want to make sure people pay for their crimes.”

 

Done By: Mitchum George

13 Million South Africans Go Hungry over Food Waste

South Africa wastes about 10.3 million tons of food per year showing the disconnect between food security and food supply in the country with about 10 million adults and 2.8 million children experiencing this.

The growing world population needs food but the environmental impacts of food production, inefficient agricultural land use and the contradiction of rising levels of both hunger and food waste call for a changing approach to getting nutrition to the world sustainably.

University of Stellenbosch Business School senior lecturer in strategy and sustainability Dr Jako Volschenk Hassaid said a growing population was only a part of the problem and the types of food produced and consumed needs some serious rethink.

He also highlighted that the world population has doubled in the past 50 years to 7.9 billion also that global food production will need to increase by 70% to feed a projected world population of 9.7 billion by 2050.

Hassaid further explained that food production especially meat is a huge driver of various environmental problems.  That livestock farming produces more carbon emissions than growing vegetables, fruits and grains with livestock responsible for 15% of greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming also about 80% of agricultural land is used for livestock but delivers 20% of the world’s available supply of calories.

Done by Lucille Dyosi

Snake Season is back!

The Poison Information Helpline of the Western Cape (PIHWC) has urged citizens to pay close attention while enjoying outdoor activities, as snake season is upon us.

October to April is snakebite season, and as temperatures increase, snakes become more active.

According to the PIHWC, most snakes found in South Africa are harmless and beneficial in the ecosystem. Snakes are usually not aggressive and will only bite when provoked. Snake bites usually occur when a snake is frightened, feels endangered and is forced to react in self-defence.

PIHWC says it received 1 411 calls regarding snakebites, during a five-year period (1 June 2015 – 31 May 2020)

“3% of our calls were related to snakebites (51 704), as most calls involved poisoning exposures to pharmaceuticals (28 418) and non-drug chemicals (25 396). During the same period, 774 calls were received concerning spider bites and 858 concerning scorpion stings,” said Dr Carine Marks, Director of the Tygerberg Poison Information Centre.

The PIHWC is a 24-hour service provided jointly by the Tygerberg Poisons Information Centre and the Red Cross Children’s Hospital Poisons Information Centre.

The public, as well as health workers can contact the PIHWC at 0861 555 777.

Done by: Yandisa Qwabe

15 arrested for GABS robberies

Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) says that 15 alleged perpetrators of bus robberies have been arrested in a 24hour-cycle.

‘’This comes after close collaboration between the South African Police Services and Golden Arrow Bus Services, both of whom have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to locate and arrest the suspects,’’ said Derick Meyer, GABS General Manager.

 ‘’We are grateful to all role-players who have made these arrests possible. These breakthroughs are the result of intensive work from our side and from the SAPS officials involved. They are also the direct result of the safety features which Golden Arrow has been rolling out. The onboard camera systems fitted in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Transport have been instrumental in these successes,’’ added Meyer.

Meyer warned against those wanting to attempt thievery on GABS buses.

‘’We would once again like to assure our passengers and employees that Golden Arrow will do everything possible to ensure arrests and successful convictions. Let this be a warning to anyone who considers targeting our operations – you will be caught!’’

PICTURE: GABS

Done by: Mitchum George