Abdul Kader Davids, co-accused in the Western Cape R1 billion housing tender fraud case was murdered

Anti-Gang Unit detectives are investigating the murder of the 42-year-old man, co-accused in the Western Cape R1 billion housing tender fraud case.

Picture by: SAPS

Abdul Kader Davids was gunned down in Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain On Thursday. Malusi Booi, Davids and other co-accused were granted bail on Tuesday.

The victim's body was found in front of a house in Ascot Street on Thursday evening.

"Preliminary reports suggest that unknown gunmen opened fire on the victim, who was declared deceased by medical personnel who attended to the scene. The motive for this murder is now the subject of an investigation by the South African Police Service," said Western Cape police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie.

Done by: Sihle Jezile

 

 

Icy Weather Conditions Expected For Parts In South Africa

 Emergency workers are on high alert in KwaZulu Natal as South African Weather Services (SAWS) have predicted heavy rains, strong winds and even snow in the uThukela and Okhahlamba area this weekend.

SAWS has predicted level 6 weather conditions. MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thulasizwe Buthelezi has warned citizens about the icy weather conditions and encouraged them to stay home and avoid taking unnecessary trips.

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COTGA) said level 2 disruptive snow warning is expected in parts of Ugu, uMgungundlovu, uThukela, Amajuba and Harry Gwala districts.

Buthelezi says disaster management teams are on high alert and will respond to emergencies and provide assistance.

Done by: Shaneca Cupido

South Africa Reserve Bank Reduces Interest rate by 25 points

 

South Africans are gobsmacked by the South African Reserve Bank’s decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points.

 The Repo rate will be 8% and the prime rate 11.50%. SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago said reduced inflation should be sustained. The monetary policy committee (MPC) decision means that home loans are now cheaper compared to 2021.

 In August this year consumer inflation submerged below the SARB’s optimum of 4.5%. Inflation has reduced a large amount in fuel prices, which South Africans can thank the strong rand for. Diesel and petrol price reductions are expected in the first week of October.

 The lower interest rate should ease financial stress in households, businesses and allow consumers to spend or save more money. Yesterday the Reserve Bank said that it has upgraded its’ expectations for 2025.

 The next MPC meeting will be on 21 November another interest rate cut is expected.

Done by: Shaneca Cupido

Final eviction order for occupants near Caste of Good Hope

Dozens of individuals occupying land near the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town's CBD must vacate the site by 17 October.

The High Court recently issued a final eviction order to the National Public Works Department, which owns the land, due to the illegal occupation.

The residents, who have been living in tents and makeshift structures by the castle's moat since the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, are affected by this order.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis expressed support for the eviction, stating, "This site has long been a source of public concern and complaints, along with frequent incidents of crime and neglect. The city has urged the owner to take responsibility for over two years now. We appreciate the new minister's leadership in prompting action from his department."

 

Done by: Stephanie Van Rayen

 

 

 

Person sought for child abandonment

Bellville police is seeking the assistance of the public to trace a person of interest on a charge of child abandonment.

According to police, an unidentified woman - dressed in a black track-suit pants, black hooded jacket with green slippers and a red shirt - was seen leaving Tygerberg Hospital on 29 August 2024, with a baby wrapped in a white and blue blanket.

SUPPLIED: SAPS

‘’It is alleged that she approached entrance number six at around 17:35 where she abandoned the one-day old baby boy wrapped in blankets. The baby is now a patient at the mentioned medical facility,’’ said Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, Western Cape police spokesperson.

Anyone with information which can assist with the investigation are urged to  call the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Conrad Van Zyl on 082 522 1095 or alternatively call Crime Stop on 08600 10111

 

Done By: Esobusi Mkangelwa

WC SAPS makes breakthrough in arresting duo linked to murder of Kraaifontein woman

Western Cape police made a breakthrough in arresting two suspects who had been linked to the murder of an elderly woman from Kraaifontein. The 64-year-old Nophumela Makeleni was shot and killed in Wallacedene in August, after the duo approached her under the pretext of purchasing meat from her.

PICTURE: Pixabay

According to police, the duo allegedly followed the elderly woman into her shack where the deceased was shot in the head. The suspects thereafter fled the scene on foot and have since evaded arrest.

‘’A relentless three week manhunt to trace the suspect/s who had been positively linked to the murder… finally bore fruit with the arrest of the two suspects for whom warrants of arrests were issued by the court… For the past three weeks, various leads and information received and pursuit, led  the investigation team across the province, culminating into the arrests of the two fugitives [on] Wednesday, 18 September 2024 on a farm situated in Klapmuts during a takedown operation,’’ said Lt. Col. Malcolm Pojie, Western Cape police spokesperson.

He says the duo aged 29 and 33, were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. The suspects whose name is known to Bush Radio News, but cannot be named until they appear in court, face charges related to Murder and House Robbery and will appear in the Bluedowns Magistrates’ court once charged.

‘’The possibility that more charges could be added, is not excluded. The Western Cape provincial commissioner, Lt Gen (Adv) Thembisile Patekile praised those members involved with the takedown of the suspects, for their endurance and commitment to bring these dangerous suspects to book,’’ said Pojie.

 

Done by: Elona Sibunzi

Pinelands High School students were sanctioned for slave auction of their Black classmates

Five Pinelands High School students who "auctioned" their Black classmates must apologize and attend workshops after the school’s disciplinary process.

The incident sparked widespread outrage after it went viral, months ago. The Western Cape Education Department said that the sanctions imposed promotes clarity and insight into the matter.

"Sanctions are restorative in nature and include participating in various workshops and learning programs, written assignments, as well as community service," said, Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond.

The measures include workshops, written assignments, and community service, with a focus on promoting non-racialism at the school.

 

Done by: Sihle Jezile

The case against a teenage boy for the murder of Deveney Nel has been postponed

The case against the teenager accused of Deveney Nel's murder in Caledon has been adjourned to 16 October for further investigations.

The 17-year-old, whose name cannot be disclosed, appeared briefly in court on Wednesday and is accused of stabbing 16-year-old Nel to death a month ago.

Her body was found in a storage room on the grounds of Overberg High School during a sports event.

Eric Ntabazalila of the National Prosecuting Authority said that further forensic and digital investigations are needed.

Community members continue to support Nel's family, holding placards outside the court chanting "justice for Deveney." Activist Hein Wyngaard mentioned the impact of the incident on their town.

 

Done by: Stephanie Van Rayen

More LEAP officers to be deployed to six high crime areas in the Cape metro

More Law Enforcement Action Plan (LEAP) officers will be deployed to six high crime areas in the Cape metro as part of a trail redeployment strategy.

LEAP officers will double up in Delft, Khayelitsha, Phillipi East, Nyanga, Mitchells Plain and Gugulethu in a bid to tackle organised crime and extortion

In a joint statement by the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town, said a reaction Unit of 120 members will assist in Hanover Park, Manenberg, Atlantis, Kraaifontein, Elsies River and other areas which will not have permanently stationed LEAP officers, to immediately prevent flare-ups and assist SAPS and the City’s Metro Police, especially in the areas where gunshot detection technology is deployed.

“The LEAP programme must always remain dynamic in adapting to the needs of the ever-changing war against crime. The changed strategy will deploy more LEAP officers to the worst crime-affected areas for maximum impact against crime, while the Rapid Reaction Unit will ensure an immediate response to a flare-up in any other part of Cape Town,” said Anroux Marais, Western Cape Police Oversight & Community Safety MEC.

Since 2020, the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town have deployed more than a thousand LEAP officers in Cape Town. The Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town deployed LEAP members as a force multiplier to the South African Police Service (SAPS)LEAP officers are part of the provincial government’s safety plan. The plan aims to decrease the murder rate by 50% by 2029.

“The tough reality is that SAPS in the Western Cape is under-staffed and under-funded. In March 2024 we had 16 424 SAPS officers deployed to our province with 1 757 vacancies, but actually what we need is to dramatically increase SAPS policing numbers by the thousands to make a real difference on our streets and in our communities,” added Marais. 

‘’LEAP will redeploy members to focus on six precincts. The decision was made in consultation with the South African Police Service after a successful trial in Delft in 2023, and guided by the following factors: murder statistics, operational imperatives, and the past twelve quarterly crime stats releases.’’

‘’Critical lessons have been learnt since the initial deployment of LEAP and the recently signed cooperation agreement with SAPS allows the LEAP partners to reconsider the deployment patterns and explore different strategies to make Cape Town safer. The Western Cape Safety Plan is based on data and empirical evidence, and testing different approaches to tackling crime. We must be willing to take the lessons that we learn, apply it and approach the complex crime problem from as many angles as we can.” said Marais.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, reflected on the successes by LEAP officers.

“The LEAP programme has had remarkable successes since its launch in 2019, with 595 unlicensed firearms removed from the streets of Cape Town and 34 079 arrests conducted. The need for a targeted approach is required in order to combat a new wave of organised crime, perpetrated by groups that have become increasingly bold and ruthless in their tactics.”

“The City has increasingly been investing in technology as a force multiplier and this will be a critical addition in our efforts to disrupt syndicates and gangs that are turning our communities into war zones,” added Smith.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Three construction workers had to be rescued in Gordans Bay after part of a trench being dug to install a pipeline collapsed on them

Three construction workers had to be rescued in Gordans Bay after part of a trench being dug to install a pipeline collapsed on them.

COURTESY: Facebook - Zahid Badroodien

“Our contractor was busy installing the rising sewer main along Broadway Boulevard in Gordon’s Bay when a section of the trench collapsed, trapping three workers,” said Zahid Badroodien, Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation

‘’Of the three workers only one was trapped requiring extrication by the relevant emergency services. Fortunately no one sustained serious injuries and they have been taken to hospital for medical assessment,’’ he added.

Badroodien said safety measures were in place at the time.

‘’These measures included the stepping and battering of the trench, as a necessary safety measure to prevent the structure from caving in. The site is now closed off pending an investigation by the Water and Sanitation officials. The contractor will be expected to submit a proposal for additional safety measures before the work can reconvene.’’

 

Done By: Elona Sibunzi

Twenty-five people injured when a train derailed at Dal Josafat station near Paarl

Twenty-five people were injured when a train derailed at Dal Josafat station near Paarl, on Tuesday evening.

PICTURE: Social Media

According to Metrorail Western Cape, the train was on its way from Cape Town to the Wellington station when the accident happened.

It is unclear what caused the train to derail but the rail agency says it is investigating the matter.

‘’Emergency services, including ambulances, firefighters, and the South African Police Services (SAPS), were on site to assist the injured passengers,’’ said Zino Mihi, Metrorail Western Cape spokesperson.

‘’No fatalities were reported. Other passengers onboard were transported to their homes. At this stage, PRASA and Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) are investigating the incident, and PRASA has reported it to the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR), which is in line with existing protocols,’’ she added.

 

Done By: Elona Sibunzi