Jesse Hess murder accused 'has audacity to talk back' in court

On August 30^th 2019 the community of the Western Cape was awakened by the sad news of how Jesse Hess and her grandfather were murdered. Jesse Hess who was a first year theology student at UWC was raped before she was murdered.

Yesterday was a tough and gruesome day for the Hess family as the two suspects accused of the heinous homicide appeared at the Bellville Magistrate court. The two man accused of the double homicide appeared yesterday for the first time in court for the two murders.  David van Boven who is a distant relative to the Hess family and his accomplice appeared in front of the judge yesterday and one woman in court called them“Dirty and heartless Pigs”. One of the sources reported that one woman said “although some of us were not close to Jesse or her grandfather we are in deep pain. What made the people in court angry was the fact that Van Boven still had the audacity to talk back when the court asked him to remove his hoodie showing that he has no remorse to what he did.

Both men are repeat offenders, and each face a charge of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. They will remain in custody until February 12 when they are due to appear again.

By Chuma Matiwane

Time's running out for reapplication of pensioners benefits

The City of Cape Town has asked pensioners over the age of sixty, to reapply for assistance who previously received rates rebates during the period of 2015.

The City said that home owners who are dependent on pensions or social grants for their livelihood, including those with special needs, and who earn a household income of up to R17 500 may qualify for rates discounts.

It added that the rebates for all income bands between R4 500 and

R17 500 per month were also adjusted upwards.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Alderman Ian Neilson said the increase will make a tangible difference to the monthly expenditure.

Qualifying customers can apply via email or at their nearest walk-in centre.

The closing date for applications is on 30 November 2019.Furthermore, the City said that new applications are also welcome.

It said that those who qualify need only go through the verification process once every three years.

Done By: Mitchum George

Goodwood residents fear that City programme could bring gentrification

Goodwood residents have blamed the City for Cape Town of not listening to them, regarding the approval of the City’s ‘C40 Reinventing Cities Programme.’

A month ago, the City chamber endorsed the proposition for four underused City-possessed locales to be made accessible to the private division for carbon-neutral, mixed-used development as a feature of this overall rivalry.

However, the Goodwood Ratepayers' Association said that in spite of the fact that they had raised worries with the City, the improvement would forge on.

The City has distinguished Tygerdal site at the Monte Vista station in Goodwood, for development. It is believed that the land is underused and near significant retail and business focuses.

The proposed sites that the City intends to develop, includes Athlone station car park, Kapteinsklip, as well as the Mouquet Farm in Diep River.

Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Marian Nieuwoudt assured that once the C40 Reinventing Cities competition has been launched, the City will then call on the private sector and interested parties to submit development proposals for the sites. Nieuwoudt is hoping it would bring affordable housing opportunities, amongst others.

Done By: Mitchum George

Hanover Park mother of three slain in gang crossfire

Yet another heinous gang related murder, now involving a mother of three who was caught in the cross fire between two gangs. The 28 year old mother of three was an example of “in the wrong place at the wrong time” as she was outside the time the two gang were involve in the shootout.

Mr Craven Engel from the Ceasefire Project said the 28 year old mother was shot around 4pm on Sunday in the Donigal Courts in Hanover Park. Reports from the members of Philippi police responded to a complaint of a murder and upon arrival they discovered the body with a gun wound on her upper body. The community of Donigal Court were left shocked with some community members in tears. Police spokesperson Mihlali Majikela said a murder case has been open but no arrest have been made yet. The community has been complaining wanting the government to intervene

Community worker Mary Bruce said shootings in the area has continued to affect the community in a negative way.

By Chuma Matiwane

POLICE BRUTALITY IN THE WESTERN CAPE

We cannot deny the fact that the people who protect us every day put their own lives in danger for the sake of protecting society. Police brutality has been an ongoing issues across South Africa but with the recent gang violence in the Western Cape, we have seen an increase in the killings of police officers.

Over the past months the Western Cape has experienced a drastic increase in the number of police officers getting killed. Two officers in the Mfuleni area when gunned down while patrolling the vicinity which left one police officer dead and another injured. Reports sworn in last week of a Bishop Lavis Lieutenant Colonel Andre Kay, who was shot while leaving his home last week. With the rise in gang violence related matters, the Western Cape South African Police Service has had it rough in the previous months. Three of the Western Cape townships dominated the top 5 most dangerous townships in South Africa. With that being said this saw a dramatic increasing in police brutality especially within the townships of Nyanga, Delft and Khayelitsha.

There have been several officers which dies on the line of duty across the city. Half of the police officers that have been killed were off duty. The suspects who were part of the Mfuleni shoot out were arrested within 72 hours and National Commissioner of Police General Khehla Sithole commended the hard work of SAPS Western Cape to catch the culprits.

By Chuma Matiwane

Mamre residents asked to store water, following a 'pressure test'

The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Department is asking Mamre residents to store water in clean, sealed containers, thus as it will be performing a zero pressure test on the water infrastructure in the area on Monday November 18.

This work forms part of the City’s ‘Water Demand Management Plan’ and will significantly reduce the occurrence of burst pipes and subsequent water losses.

The work will result in the disruption of the water supply on Monday between 10 a.m and 2 p.m

The City has advised that residents keep all taps closed during this period to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.

Done By: Mitchum George

Pay your account before the busy season, says the City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town has urged its account holders to plan accordingly when paying their accounts to avoid possible debt management and legal action.

Debt actions have been intensified, especially against frequent defaulters and those who are able to pay but choose not to do so.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Alderman Ian Neilson said the City has programmes in place to assist those who are struggling with payment.

The busiest time of the year for account payments, says the City, are normally  in November and the December, thus as many customers choose to make payments or payment arrangements before they go away for the holiday period or to settle accounts. The City has warned that increased activity can however lead to longer waiting periods at City facilities. 

Done By:
Mitchum George

Law enforcement officers saves mother shortly after giving birth

Whilst escorting Emergency Medical Services personnel to a 'high risk' area on Saturday morning, Cape Town Law Enforcement officers came across a woman who was lying on the side of the road in Wespoort Drive, in Mitchell's Plain.

Upon further inspection, the officers learnt that the woman has just given birth.

Officers quickly reacted, and took the woman to the local day hospital whereby they were admitted to the maternity ward, as her umbilical cord was still attached. 

The hospital staff confirmed both the mother and baby were in good condition. It was revealed that the mother had been homeless, but that she had been offered accommodation by a good Samaritan.

Done By:
Mitchum George

Esantini gets electrified

The City of Cape Town’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department says it is hard at work to connect residents in informal settlements with electricity, after providing residents in Esantini in Mfuleni with electricity.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Phindile Maxiti, alongside Ward Councillor, Themba Honono,visited residents earlier this week.

Approximately 42 households were connected to the electricity grid this week as part of the 'City’s electrification project' in Esantini informal settlement in Mfuleni. 

The City said for this electrification project to come about, there was much positive community engagement and hard work. It added that this initiative is part of the City’s commitment to excellence in basic service delivery and to improving the health and safety of its more vulnerable residents.

Numerous electrification projects, along with other basic services projects, are ongoing across the city.

Uyinene Mrwetyana killer found guilty.

It was a sad day for the Mrwetyana family today after the man liable for the death of UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana was convicted.

The family of Uyinene sat still and unaffected as the sentence was passed on however were pale as they left the Western Cape High Court.

The 19-year-old's uncle Vuyani Mrwetyana stated: "We would like to proclaim that with this sort of judgment, this is in certainty a pocket of greatness with respect to the criminal equity framework.

"We are still in grieving. This judgment won't bring Uyinene back yet we do welcome it," he said.

"We truly would like to credit the sterling work showed by the nature it has become en vogue in South Africa for them to take an extremely significant stretch but...because of the energy and duty they had the option to finish up this inside two months, so we offer credit to the researching group," Vuyani said.

Post office worker Luyanda Botha was found guilty on four counts including rape, murder and distraction of the administration of and sentenced to three life sentences and five years for obstruction of justice. Count one and count four will run concurrently which means Botha will spend 75 years behind bars. He will also not be eligible for parole before the first 25 years have been served.
Judhe Gaayat Salie Hlophe expressed her condolences in saying  to the family "No sentence can bring back Uyinene  but hopes that they find closure".

by :Namhla Monakali


https://soundcloud.com/bush-radio-news-729440722/uyinene-judgement-news-feature

Top police officer shot dead while reversing out of his driveway in Bishop Lavis

News just broke that Lieutenant Colonel Andre Kay was shot this morning in front of his home. It’s allegedly that the victim was getting into his car when the unknown gunmen shot several shots at the police officer. The Western Cape Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said the victim died on scene before paramedics arrived.

It is believed that the suspect run over to Lavis Town Train station towards Clarke Estate. Reports believe that Mr. Kay was shot through the window off his car while reversing. A source which is close to the family claims that Mr. Kay was on his way to take a friend of his to hospital. His colleagues and family have been offered counselling for the trauma. The Western Cape Police Service have offered their condolences for the Kay family. Mr Andre Kay was a valuable member to the community of Bishop Lavis and this heinous murder must be dealt with accordingly.

By Chuma Matiwane

THE BOKS IN CAPE TOWN

The newly crowned Rugby World Cup Champions had a massive tour around the country showcasing how happy they were with the support they got from the country. The Springboks on Monday on the 11 of November concluded the five-day tour in Cape Town where they were welcomed by a massive happy crowd. The Cape Town community came in large numbers to support the 2019 champions, people from all ages, race and even background came in unity.

Captain Siya Kolisi made a heart-warming speech at the City Hall thanking everyone on the support they got. One of the Springboks scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies was reported saying he was happy with the tremendous support they got from the whole country. Echoes of “Go Bokke” echoed throughout the whole CBD with the Springboks championship bus going around the CBD. People referred or rather compared the feeling to a festive atmosphere hinting that it was like December. Some workers took off to work and braved the heavy traffic flow to come see their sporting heroes.

Fans thanked the Boks for not only winning the Rugby World Cup but also for giving the country something to be proud of. The last stop was in Elsies River where locals were waiting for hours to see and celebrate with their heroes.

By Chuma Matiwane 

Black Friday

With the typical craze expected on Black Friday later in the month, when shops offer lower prices and South Africans go on a spending binge, the economic are forewarning against venturing into the red due to the downturn in the economy.

From one viewpoint, the adverts for Black Friday have started, the Christmas lights have been set up in Cape Town's Adderley Street simply hanging tight for the turning on service, the bubbly season is nearly upon us and carries with it the impulse to spend too much on expensive things so we can ruin our friends and family.

Nonetheless, according to IOL Herman Lombard, author and official executive of budgetary administrations supplier African Unity, stated: "While it feels incredible to treat ourselves and our friends and family to costly blessings and occasions, actually we live in intense monetary times and overspending during December causes tension during January and may imply that you start the new year with obligation that you didn't expect to."

In an announcement a week ago, the chamber stated: "Of unique concern is the use side with specific things like debt levels, debt servicing. Forewarning against purchasing extravagance merchandise using a credit card or store cards as loan costs are high and the aggregation of more debt will expand your month to month costs later on, Lombard stated: "While charge cards can be helpful for a fundamental buy, with financing costs as high as 27.75%, it is greatly improved to set aside after some time for that first-class extravagance thing.

"That way, the drive to purchase may vanish and you may even find that you can manage without that buy. In case you're fortunate enough to get a reward, attempt to spare a segment of it before spending it. That way, you will have a head start to the new year and the assets to cover back-to-class costs or to purchase something out of spending you need," said Lombard.

Outside trade dealer Jeff Cammock stated: "Customers should plan to spend pretty much nothing, and retirees should keep capital in less dangerous non-rand resources. Gold, remote trade and bonds are all smart thoughts. Land likewise has a decent possibility of propping up its worth."

Gary Kayle, originator of the Money School, cautioned: "On the off chance that you are going on a wild spending binge, stop and think about whether you need a decent 2020. Think about utilizing any godsends, reward or thirteenth check, to pay off past commitments you'll have more cash in your pocket for the coming year. It's simply the greatest present you can give.