Staff member suffered minor injuries and two other employees were treated for smoke inhalation at Panorama Mediclinic

A staff member at Panorama Mediclinic in Cape Town suffered minor injuries, and two other employees were treated for smoke inhalation, after a fire broke out at the hospital on Thursday morning.

‘’At approximately 07:40 on Thursday, 6 october 2022, a fire broke out within the kitchen of the coffee shop at Mediclinic Pamaroma,’’ read the statement from Mediclinic Southern Africa.

PICTURE SUPPLIED

The City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Services, Jermaine Carelse, said a minor flare up started following the initial fire.

 ‘’The original fire started in the chip fryer of the kiosk and subsequently spread into the ducting. The passages were smoke logged and had to be ventilated.  A secondary fire was discovered on the ground floor at 08:46 and extinguished with the internal hose reel.’’

PICTURE SUPPLIED

Following the incident, various wards in the vicinity of the fire were temporarily evacuated and patients have since been returned to their units. No patients were injured.

PICTURE SUPPLIED

‘’We would like to thank all the supporting services for their efficient support towards ensuring that the situation was swiftly brought under control,’’ said Mediclinic Southern Africa

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Five additional hospitals in the Western Cape have been exempted from loadshedding

Five additional hospitals in the Western Cape have been exempted from loadshedding. This was confirmed by the Western Cape’s Health & Wellness Department, bringing the total number of hospitals protected in the province to eight.

The Provincial Health Department held a media briefing last week, calling on National Government to exempt more hospitals within the Western Cape.

Health Minister, Dr. Joe Phaala, announced that Tygerberg Hospital, Groote Schuur -, and Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospitals were exempted from load shedding in the province.

The department has now exempted New Somerset Hospital, Mitchells’ Plain Karl Bremer Hospital and Victoria Hospital.  George Hospital has been exempted on the Eskom grid.

MEC Nomafrench Mbombo has welcomed the additional exemptions, but has called on Phaala to further exempt 14 more hospitals in the province.

 “I am happy that the voice of the Western Cape was heard, and I thank all stakeholders, especially the City of Cape Town and Eskom for their support in getting 5 additional hospitals exempted within the Western Cape. We are looking forward to their support in realising the exemption of the remaining 14 hospitals in the order of priority.”

"We welcome the support shown by our electricity providers in exempting some additional hospitals from loadshedding. Our staff at these hospitals can now continue providing quality health care without the worry of loadshedding, especially in theatres and emergency centres. We continue to work collaboratively with the City of Cape Town and Eskom towards a safer, uninterrupted power-supplied clinical setting in all our hospitals where our staff are required to save lives and provide the best possible care that is worthy of the residents of the Western Cape,’’ added Mbombo.

The remaining hospitals to be exempted, in order of priority are:

Hospitals on the City of Cape Town grid for which exemptions have been requested for are (in this order)

·        Mowbray

·        Wesfleur

·        Helderberg

·        False Bay

·        Oral Health Centre

 

 

 

Hospitals from the Eskom grid for which exemptions have been requested for are (in this order)

·        Khayelitsha

·        Worcester

·        Paarl

·        Caledon

·        Vredendal

·        Eerste River

·        Oudshoor

·        Ceres

·        Beaufort West

Done by: Mitchum George

Suspect accused of Vredenburg Magistrate murder abandons bail

The 18-year-old suspect accused of the murder of his aunt, Romay van Rooyen, the Vredenburg Magistrate, has abandon his bail application.

Cassidy Hartzenberg appeared in the Simon`s Town Magistrate court on Thursday.

The 50 year-old Van Rooyen was found dead in her home in Red Roman Street, Marina Da Gama, on September 10.  According to officials, she had  been strangled.

Hartzenberg was arrested in Mitchells Plain and Van Rooyen’s vehicle was found in Highland’s Road, Mitchells Plain.

After the court proceedings, the National Prosecuting Authority for the Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the accused abandoned his bail application and added that they welcome the bail bid.

“We would have opposed bail anyway because we believed that there would have been a slim opportunity for him to have been granted bail. The case has been postponed to 8 November 2022 for further investigation. The accused has been remanded in custody”, he said.

 

By Lulama Klassen

Wallacedene Clinic temporarily closed due to alleged vandalism at its substation

The Wallacedene Clinic is temporarily closed due to alleged vandalism at its substation

In a statement, the City of Cape Town says the clinic does have a generator on site, however this is undergoing maintenance and repairs.

‘’City Health is in talks with Eskom as well as the City's Asset and Facility Management Department and the Electricity Generation and Distribution Department, to ascertain how long it will likely take for them to address the cause of the electricity disruption, which is said to be linked to a severely vandalised substation,’’ said Mayco Member for Community Services and Health, Patricia Van der Ross.

Clients are asked to visit their nearest alternative health facility, such as the Bloekombos, Brighton, Brackenfell or Northpine Clinics. Van der Ross said Clients on HPT and ARVs are requested to report to Bloekombos Clinic to access these services.

‘’The City apologises for any inconvenience caused and would like to reassure the public that this matter is receiving urgent attention, to allow the clinic operations to resume as soon as possible,’’ she added.

 

Done by: Mitchum George

Camps Bay SAPS probing two counts of murder; Motive is possible taxi-related

Camps Bay police are probing a double murder case after two people sustained gunshot wounds to their body. The incident occurred in Victoria Road, on Wednesday.

‘’The circumstances surrounding the shooting incident in Camps Bay are still under investigation. Camps Bay police responded to a complaint on Wednesday. Upon arrival at the scene, at around 15:40 in Victoria Road, they found the body of an unknown man who sustained gunshot wounds to his body."

‘’Further inspection of the surrounding area indicated, the body of a second unknown man, who also sustained gunshot wounds. Both victims were declared dead on the scene by the medical personnel,’’ said Warrant Officer, Joseph Swartbooi.

As received-
2 people shot dead at Camps Bay beach earlier this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/3mGASwp2pN

— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) October 5, 2022

The police spokesperson said the suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. He added that the motive for the attack could be taxi-related.

‘’The unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. The possibility that the motive for the attack can be taxi-related cannot be ruled out and will be investigated as such. Camps Bay police are investigating two counts of murder," said Swartbooi.

Anyone with information is kindly requested to contact crime Stop on 08600 10 111

Western Cape’s Police Oversight & Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen, described the incident as ‘concerning’.

‘’Regardless of the motive, these type of events should not occur in any area across the Western Cape or in the country for that matter. I want to ensure both locals and those not from our shores that we will do everything in our power to apprehend these unscrupulous characters.

‘’We are in the process of activating tourism safety officers, to ensure the safety of all visitors in the Cape Town CBD and Table Mountain National Park trial. Chrysalis graduates would also be incorporated in this programme. The Western Cape is expected a bumper tourism season.

‘’It is vital that perpetrators of this crime are immediately arrested, as they clearly have no regard for life and would evidently go to great lengths not to be held accountable,’’ added Allen.

Speaking on Bush Radio on Wednesday evening, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, says more officers will be deployed in areas.

‘’It is concerning ahead of the holiday season and for everyone who uses our public beaches. We [The City of Cape Town] have made massive investments in Cape Town into extra Metro police and Law Enforcement Officers – 230 new Law Enforcement officers on our streets, this year alone. More coming in 2023. Some really great (sic), crime-fighting technology such as eye-in-the-sky technology and body cameras and dashboard cameras for all of our officers, so we are pouring resources where we can to make Cape Town safer.’’

Hill-Lewis has again called for the devolution of police in the Cape.

‘’The key request we made is to have devolution policing powers to the City. So every City officer – Traffic, Law Enforcement officers, Metro police, will have full policing responsibility and powers and will be able to do crime investigation and guiding cases all the way to successful convictions in court.’’

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Load shedding to be reduced by one stage on Thursday morning

Eskom announced that Stage 4 loadshedding will continue until 5a.m on Thursday. The ailing parastatal said that Stage 3 loadshedding will then be reduced implemented until 5a.m on Saturday.

In a statement, the power utility said the continued loadshedding is necessary due to the shortage of generation capacity as a result of persistent high levels of breakdowns, and to further replenish the emergency generation reserves.

‘’A generation unit each at Arnot, Kriel, Lethabo, Matla as well as two units at Camden Power Station have returned to service since last night. A generating unit each at Hendrina, Kendal and Majuba power stations were taken offline for repairs.’’

‘’Furthermore, the delay in returning a generating unit each to service at Kendal, Komati and Tutuka power stations have added to the capacity constraints,’’ it added.

The parastatal apologized for the implementation of rolling power cuts.

‘’Eskom apologises for the continued and unfortunate loadshedding, which is implemented only as a last resort in view of the shortage of generation capacity and the need to attend to breakdowns.’’

 

PICTURE: Pixabay

Done by: Mitchum George

Western Cape SAPS appoints four senior managers in vacant positions

The Western Cape police management appointed four senior managers in vacant positions within the province. The Acting Western Cape’s Police Commissioner, Major General Albert Maqhashalala announced the appointments at the SAPS Provincial Head Office in Green Point, Cape Town, on Wednesday.

The newly appointed senior officers were promoted to the level of Brigadier effective from 01 October 2022 in various positions and environments within the Western Cape.

·        Brigadier Rozelle Bekker, has been appointed Section Head: Legal Support: Resources

·        Brigadier Leon Hanana, has been appointed the Provincial Head: Serious and Violent Crime

·        Brigadier Lindiwe Dyantyi, is the new Station Commander Mitchells Plain SAPS. Dyantyi takes over from Brigadier Cass Goolam, who retired after being in this position for a decade.

·        Brigadier Jan Alexander, is the new Station Commander for Nyanga SAPS. Alexander previously served as station commander at Steenberg police station.

Major General Maqhashalala, accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Commissioners: Major General Michael Jojo, Legal Services, Major General Preston Voskuil, Support Services and Major General Mpumelelo Manci, Policing Services presented the new ranks to the four senior managers.

 

Photos supplied by Captain Piet Smit - From left to right: Brigadier Hanana, Brigadier Bekker, Major General Maqhashalala, Brigadier Dyantyi and Brigadier Alexander

Done by: Mitchum George

Transport Month: Western Cape traffic officers striving for less tragedy on the roads

October is marked as Transport Month in South Africa. The month is used to raise awareness on the important role of transport in the economy and to encourage participation from civil society and business, including the provision of a safe and affordable, accessible and reliable transport system in the country.

Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Mobility MEC joined Provincial Traffic Officers during an integrated road operation in the West Coast to officially launch Transport Month.

He said that no one should be killed or injured on our roads.“We have to work around the clock, provide structured traffic law enforcement and road safety interventions to influence road users positively, with a view to demonstrating improved behaviour while using our road network to commute within and beyond the Western Cape.

Our primary focus this month is the maintenance and the regulation of safe and responsible road user behaviour, with an added focus on pedestrian behaviour “, said Mitchell.

Meanwhile Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula hailed the government during the October Transport Month launch in Pretoria, for the recovery of yet another commuter rail corridor.

This was in line with their commitment to return to service this year 10 priority corridors. Mbalula said that government was closely monitoring progress at Prasa.

He also said the department recently signed a social compact with all the parties that are involved and affected by the situation on the central line, outlining the roles and responsibilities of each party.

Mbalula said their work with provinces and municipalities to improve the service offering at Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) was beginning to bear fruit with motorists spending less time in queues.

Mitchell, will continue to support traffic officers as they continue to execute multiple joint integrated operations and visibility strategies throughout the province to ensure the safety of motorists and other road users.

 By Everngelista Muza

Case against Yanga Nyalara and three others postponed

The case against Yanga Nyalara and three co-accused, who are linked to a numerous crimes in Khayelitsha, has been postponed to November.

Nyalara was labeled as the most wanted suspect in the Western Cape during his arrest in July.

Yanga ‘Bara’ Nyalara, who was the Western Cape’s most wanted suspect, and Wandile Tofile, He stands trial on 31 charges, including 12 of murder, five of attempted murder and several charges of drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and appeared before the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Nyalara and Manelisi Ngumla are linked to the murder of six people on May 8 in Site C in Khayelitsha. The fourth accused, Lundi Zweni, already has a string of charges against him.

All four men have abandoned their bail applications and remain in custody.

The case was postponed to the 14^th of November and has been moved to the Western Cape High Court

CT Police searching for Brent Van Dam for attempted assault on school boys

Cape Town police are searching for Brent Van Dam for allegedly trying to attack boys in the bathroom at a school he worked at. 

 source: SAPS

The incident occurred when the 38 year-old suspect allegedly went into the bathroom, found two boys, asked one to leave then grabbed the other one.

Warrant officer, Joseph Swartbooi, said the suspect demanded one of the boys in the bathroom to leave and grabbed the other boy that was using the toilet cubicle.

“The suspect allegedly went to the bathrooms of a local school where he found two minor boys. He requested one of the boys to leave the bathroom and grabbed the boy that was using the facility inside the cubicle. The boy who left the bathroom returned and kicked the suspect who then lost his balance, which paved the way for the victims to escape”, Swartbooi said.

Swartbooi added that the student who left the bathroom, returned and kicked the suspect, who then lost his balance, which allowed the victims to escape.

 

By Lulama Klassen

Cocaine packed in chocolate wrapping confiscated at Cape Town International Airport

Western Cape police arrested a 37-year-old man at the Cape Town International Airport on Tuesday, for being in possession of drugs with an estimated street value of R2.4million.

SUPPLIED: SAPS

The police’s Joseph Swartbooi said officers confiscated four kilograms of cocaine packed in chocolate wrappings hidden in the traveler's luggage.

‘’The members were strategically placed to profile and searched passengers disembarking from an International flight from Dubai just before midday.’’

‘’Amidst the hustle and bustle, they kept their sights focused and conducted intense searches. Their mandate was fulfilled when they confiscated 4 kg of cocaine wrapped in chocolate wrappings hidden in the luggage of one of the passengers,’’ added Warrant Officer, Joseph Swartbooi.

SUPPLIED: SAPS

Once charged, the suspect will make a court appearance in the Bellville Magistrate court on the mentioned charge.

Done By: Mitchum George

Three suspects being questioned for Vrygrond killings

Muizenberg police are patrolling Vrygrond, following a recent spate of violence in the area.

Five people have been killed in Vrygrond, since Friday. Officers came across two bodies of gang members, aged 30 and 34, in Neville Riley Road. The police’s FC van Wyk said the duo had both suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He added that the motive for the attack is gang related.

The following day, Muizenberg police discovered the body of a 30-year-old man, after they responded to a shooting incident in Drury Road, at 06:30.

‘’The deceased was located inside a mini bus taxi and had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The deceased was a taxi driver. Motive possible taxi related conflict,’’ said Captain FC Van Wyk.

Later the same day, a 28-year-old man suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

‘’…at about 17:00, Muizenberg police members proceeded to a medical facility after receiving a report of a person that was shot in Apple Road, Vrygrond.’’

‘’On arrival at the hospital they were shown the body of a 28 year old male who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The deceased was allegedly shot at his residence in Apple Road at about 16:10. Motive unknown. Murder docket was opened,’’ added van Wyk.

Twenty minutes later, officers discovered the body of a 40-year old man laying in Apple Road.

‘’The deceased had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and is a known gang member. The shooting occurred at about 16:30, and is possibly linked to the incident earlier at Apple Road. Murder docket opened.’’

Western Cape police are interrogating three suspects aged 20, 22 and 29, in connection with the murders.

The Western Cape’s Police Oversight & Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen, described the killings as ‘mind boggling.’

‘’The killings makes no sense. It is mind boggling that there’s so little regard to life. My further concern is that this could have a major impact on commuters who have to use taxi’s and worse still, innocent people can be caught in the crossfire. We do not want to have a situation, where innocent people are injured or killed.

‘’I also urge community members who might have information about other individuals who are involved in these shootings, to make it available to SAPS, so that these bandits can be removed from our communities. We refuse to be held at ransom by those who choose not to live by the confine of the law,’’ added Allen.

PICTURE - Marcellino Martin: Bush Radio's Mitchum George with MEC, Reagen Allen.

Anyone with any information about these shooting incidents is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

WCED announced it will offer jobs to 500 qualified Grade R teachers

 The 5th of October , World Teachers' Day is a day used to acknowledged and celebrate the service of teachers and their contribution to education. It is an opportunity to consider the challenges related to the teaching profession, and to recognise the rights and responsibilities of the teachers.

While this year marks the 28th anniversary, the theme is “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers”.

In anticipation of World Teachers’ Day, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) announced that it will offer up to 500 qualified Grade R teachers a permanent post with service benefits from 1 January 2023.

Spokesperson to Minister David Maynier said that the offer applies to those teachers who are already employed at a school in a subsidised Grade R position. These teachers must meet the required teaching qualification in order to be appointed as a Post Level 1 teacher.

The department made a significant additional investment as the appointment of teachers is expected to cost approximately R321 million over the next three years. Mauchline  said that It adds to the steps they have already taken to improve Foundation Phase outcomes, such as the additional time allocated to Reading and Maths to reverse learning losses from the Covid-19 pandemic.

On the 27 September a detailed circular was sent to schools outlining the requirements and process to be followed for the appointments.

images: CDE

by Everngelista Muza 

Western Cape government wants 19 more hospitals to be exempted from loadshedding

The Western Cape Government said they are in talks with the National Government to exempt more healthcare facilities in the province from rolling power cuts. The provincial government was responding to the national Health Department who held a briefing, announcing  that 37 hospitals are exempted from load shedding. However only three hospital from the Cape metro were announced this included the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Tygerberg and Groote Schuur hospitals.

The Western Cape’s Health and Wellness Department has requested that an additional 19 hospitals across the province be exempted from load shedding, after it claimed the province had been left out of the national Health Department’s list of exempted health facilities.

Provincial Health & Wellness MEC Nomafrench Mbombo said these hospitals formed part of an existing agreement with the City of Cape Town that had been in place for four years.

Head of department Dr Keith Cloete said that the Department of Health and Wellness have made submissions, for the exemption of an additional 10 hospitals on the Eskom grid and nine on the City of Cape Town's grid .

Hospitals on the City of Cape Town grid for which exemptions have been requested for are (in this order) are:

 

Mitchells Plain

Mowbray Maternity

New Somerset

Karl Bremer

Victoria

Wesfleur

Helderberg

False Bay

Oral Health Centre

Hospitals on the Eskom grid for which exemptions have been requested for are (in this order) are:

 

George

Khayelitsha

Worcester

Paarl

Caledon

Vredendal

Eerste River

Oudshoorn

Ceres

Beaufort West

The health department also said that the list made was based on workload, and the range of services offered at each hospital.

Dr Cloete said that Since April 2022, the national department had spent just over R 53 196 434 on fuel, oil and medical gas to keep health facilities running during blackouts. Dr Wayne Smith, from the City of Cape Town’s EMS, said that despite the Department’s preparedness in the event of a national black-out, the dire consequences currently experienced within the health system cannot be overlooked.

by Everngelista Muza

City officials report a notable increase in drunk driving arrests

 The City of Cape Town’s enforcement departments reported an increase in drunk driving arrests.  According to the City's Traffic Service, 90 individuals were arrested in the past week, while 33 others were detained for Illegal Street racing over the weekend.

Sixty-nine motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, 19 for reckless and negligent driving, one for participating in an illegal street race and one for possession of a fraudulent driver's license.

Meanwhile 133 public transport vehicles were impounded, officers also executed 1 289 warrants of arrest and recorded 66 647 traffic violations.

The City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith said that arrests for drunk drivers increased by 36 in the past week.

“It's the first weekend of the new month and could be attributed to the end of the month partying; however, that is no excuse to get behind the wheel inebriated as these drivers found out. For them it was a trip to jail, but for others it could be a ticket to the hospital or the morgue. As more people take to the road with the sunnier weather, I want to encourage drivers to be responsible. Do not drink and drive. It's not worth your life or that of your loved ones,' said JP Smith.

 

By Everngelista Muzaa

LEAP officer succumbs to his injuries in hospital, following the attack on Thursday night, in Elsies River.

A 23-year-old LEAP officer has succumbed to his injuries in hospital, over the weekend, following the attack on Thursday night in Elsies River.

Alessandro Alveo Heynes was transporting someone home after a friend’s matric ball, when he was robbed of his cellphone, and shot, sustaining a head wound. He was off duty at the time of the incident.

SOURCE: Facebook

Police have since arrested a suspect, and is on the hunt for a second suspect. In a joint statement, the City of Cape Town and Western Cape Government says they are shocked by the latest incident.

‘’As the investigations into the incident continues, I’d like to urge anyone with information to contact all Law Enforcement agencies involved, so that the second suspect can also be arrested,’’ said the Western Cape’s Police Oversight & Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen.

Allen has sent a stern warning to criminals.

‘’Whoever committed this hideous crime, does not deserve to walk freely in our streets. The second suspect should know there is no hiding place and that we will ensure that no stone is left unturned, so that they can all end up behind bars. These criminals have signed their freedom away.’’

The City's Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, described Heynes as a ‘well-respected and dedicated professional’

‘’He took his job seriously and fought to protect innocent people from harm. He is known as a humble, diligent and ambitious young man who was destined for a successful career in law enforcement. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and colleagues, who have been left reeling by this senseless attack. We as the City mourn the loss of Officer Heynes who was a valued member of our team.

‘’We call on anyone in the community who might have information about the attack to please step forward and assist the investigators, so that the person responsible can be caught and brought to justice,’’ he added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

7-year-old girl's body recovered at Palmiet River; Search continues for 17-year-old at Kleinmond Main Beach

The Western Cape’s Police Dive Unit recovered the body of a 7-year-old girl at the Palmiet River in the Overberg region, on Monday evening.

The NSRI’s Craig Lambinon said the girl disappeared under water while swimming with her sister at Palmiet River on Sunday.

Lambinon says the girl’s 10-year-old sister had managed to get out of the water and she was attended to by EMS paramedics and transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition.

‘’NSRI rescue swimmers conducting sweeping line walk method search patterns, in waist deep water, the search close to the river mouth was a joint effort to focus on the search areas identified by Police divers. The tides, river currents and sea currents played a crucial role in this joint effort with growing fears that the child may be swept out of the river mouth and lost at sea.’’

‘’During the early hours of the evening the body of the 7 year old female was located and recovered in a corner of the Palmiet River near to the Palmiet River Mouth,’’ added NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon.

Meanwhile, search efforts are continuing for a 17-year-old male who went missing in the surf line while swimming at Kleinmond Main Beach, on Sunday.

‘’It appears that 4 teenagers, on a school camp, believed to be from Montague, reportedly had reached a submerged sand bank that they were standing on when the missing teenager may have lost his footing on the slope of the sandbank before being swept away in sea currents,’’ said Lambinon.

The spokesperson added that the remaining 3 teenagers were able to get to the shore and they were not injured.

 

 Done By: Mitchum George

Pete Mahalik’s murder case has once again postponed

Pete Mahalik’s murder case has once again been postponed by the Western Cape High Court on Monday, because a State witness was too ill to testify.

According to reports the case will resume on Tuesday, along with the trio accused of executing a hit on the criminal lawyer with further evidence being presented by the State.

Sizwe Biyela, Nkosinathi Khumalo and Vuyile Maliti, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mihalik, who was shot dead when he took his children to school in Green Point on 30 October 2018. One of the key images the State is using to link Biyela to the murder was taken from CCTV footage of Mihalik's Mercedes-Benz SUV, that captured a man walking towards the vehicle and firing two shots.

While the case is expected to resume tomorrow, a different witness will be taking a stand in court.

image: facebookmalik.

by Everngelista Muza

CoCT concerned over increase in drunk driving

The City of Cape Town has raised concerns over the number of drunk drivers on the metro’s roads. The City's Traffic Services made 90 arrests in the past week - 33 of those during illegal street racing operations over the weekend.

Among those arrested were 69 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol, 19 for reckless and negligent driving, one for participating in an illegal street race and one for possession of a fraudulent driver's license. The number of drunk drivers arrested has increased from last week's 36.

‘’It's the first weekend of the new month and could be attributed to the end of the month partying; however, that is no excuse to get behind the wheel inebriated as these drivers found out. For them it was a trip to jail, but for others it could be a ticket to the hospital or the morgue. As more people take to the road with the sunnier weather, I want to encourage drivers to be responsible. Don't drink and drive. It's not worth your life or that of your loved ones,’’ said the City's Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith.

Furthermore, Smith said there’s been an increase in trauma-related calls to the Public Emergency Communication Centre over the weekend - majority in the assault category. Thirty-five more assault cases were lodged than the previous week’s 172. The call centre also lodged 58 Motor vehicle accidents, from last week’s 49. There were two more calls lodged for Pedestrian/vehicle accidents, following the previous week’s 15.

‘’It is disconcerting that the violence people inflict on each other shows the biggest jump. This includes physical and sexual assault, as well as incidents where weapons are used to injure or kill. The violence in our communities have far reaching effects and damages even those not involved in the incidents.’’

‘’Residents live in fear and experience depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress. Our officers across the directorate will continue to clamp down on this damaging behaviour,'’ added Smith.

 

Done by: Mitchum George

Stage 3 loadshedding to continue until 5a.m on Thursday

Eskom has announced that Stage 3 loadshedding will continue until 5a.m on Thursday.

PICTURE: Pixabay

In a statement, the embattled power utility said the continued loadshedding is necessary, due to the shortage of generation capacity as a result of persistent high levels of breakdowns.

‘’Following the shutdown of Camden Power Station due to the de-mineralised water contamination last week, the first of seven generating units returned to service on Saturday evening. The remaining units are anticipated to return to service over the next eight days, while one will remain on planned maintenance.’’

Eskom spokesperson, Sikonathi Manthantsha said a generating unit each at Kusile and Majuba power stations were returned to service.

‘’A generating unit each at Duvha, Kendal, Komati, Kusile, Matimba, Lethabo and Tutuka power stations were taken offline for repairs. Furthermore, the delay of two generating units at Kendal power station and one generating unit at Tutuka power station have added to the capacity constraint.’’

‘’Eskom apologises for the continued and unfortunate loadshedding, which is implemented only as a last resort in view of the shortage of generation capacity and the need to attend to breakdowns,’’ he added.

Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town said its customers will rotate between Stage 1 load shedding, 2-, Stage 3 load shedding

⚡️Load-shedding update - 2 October 2022

The City continues to protect its customers where possible.

City customers
2 October
Stage 3: 05:00 - 00:00

3 October
Stage 3: 00:00 - 06:00
Stage 1: 06:00 - 14:00
Stage 2: 14:00 - 22:00
Stage 3: 22:00 - 06:00#CTInfo pic.twitter.com/tjmOYN8AZk

— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) October 2, 2022

Done by: Mitchum George

Operation Vutha Hawe apprehend over 500 suspect in the Western Cape

Western Cape Police members mandate to create a safe environment in all communities yielded positive results when they arrested several suspects in the Western Cape.

Western Cape Police conducted an operation lockdown the 29^th of October following a tipoff while patrolling in Khayelitsha. According to reports Police arrested a 43 year old man after he was found with a 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition.

The male suspect was apprehended in Mninawa Street. He will be charged for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and is due to appear in Khayelitsha Magistrates court on the 3^rd of October.

Meanwhile, 539 suspect were apprehended during Operation Vutha Hawe, for serious offences such as murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault, burglary and domestic violence.

Officials seized 30 firearms, 424 rounds of ammunition, 1795 mandrax tablets, 725 estacy tablets, 1020grams crystal meth, 19147grams dagga in addition to Operation Restore, and other SAPS related initiatives.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our community for sharing information in order to fight gangsterism, drugs and guns on our streets, and further express sincere gratitude to our members for their commitment in executing the duties with diligence’, said Captain Frederick Van Wyk

Anyone with information on criminal activities in their neighbourhood is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop anonymously at 08600 10111. Additionally, crime tip-offs can be reported by downloading the MySAPS App or call *134*10111# and follow the prompts.

image by SAPolicservices

by Evengelista Muza

WC’s Standing Committee on Community Safety wants SAPS briefing on solving child murders

The Western Cape’s Standing Committee on Community Safety wants the South African Police Service (SAPS) to brief them on what plans will be implemented to solve child murders.

In a space of a week, four children in the Western Cape having been murdered.

DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Community Safety, Gillion Bosman, said there is a strong correlation between the under-resourcing of SAPS and the increase of crime in our communities.

‘’This is no different when it comes to the safety of our children. I also will be requesting that provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, put the Court Watching Brief Unit (CWBU) on the cases where arrests have been made.’’

‘’It is critical for us to use all mechanisms available to ensure that those responsible face justice for the harm and destruction they have caused to loved ones of these children,’’ he added.

Gillion revealed that over the last five financial years, the number of detectives in the Western Cape have fallen from 2 792 to 2 587 – a decrease of over 7%.

‘’These figures further worsen case load of detectives, which already stands at an average of 250 cases per detective. In the face of incapacitated crimefighting, we need to make use of innovative solutions to protect our children.’’

‘’We call on SAPS to strengthen their investigative capacity so that our criminal justice system can work more effectively. Our children cannot continue to be victims of crime. The time for action is now,’’ added Bosman.

 

Done by: Mitchum George

37 hospitals were currently exempted from load shedding

Health Minister Joe Phaahla held a briefing on the impact of Eskom-implementing rolling power cuts on the country’s public health facilities. He said that only 37 hospitals were currently exempted from load shedding.

This is due to compromised medical equipment, depleted diesel reserves for hospital generators and lack of budget. Therefore a tenth of South Africa’s public healthcare facilities have been exempted from the relentless rolling blackouts that have been ongoing for about a month.

The Health Minister said the government was doing all it could to mitigate some of the challenges faced by the public health sector as the country battles rolling power cuts

Phaahla said that more hospital would be added to the exemption list in coming days. For now, private hospitals are not exempted, but Phaahla acknowledged that the department was responsible for all healthcare services in South Africa and that there were discussions with Eskom, provincial and local governments to add private facilities to the exemption list. 

He said the criteria for hospital exclusion included patient volumes, the nature of the specialised services the hospitals provided and the technological and medical equipment they had on the premises.

Provinces where the load-shedding concession for hospitals is not yet in place include the Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and North West.

The following health facilities are exempted from load-shedding.

Gauteng:

Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, Hellen Joseph

Hospital, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, George Mukhari

Hospital, Pretoria West Hospital, Tshwane District

Hospital, Mamelodi Hospital, Bronkhrospruit Hospital,

Kalafong Hospital,

Free State:

Pelenomi

 

 KwaZulu-Natal:

Harry Gwala Hospital (former Edendale),

Greys Hospital, Ladysmith Hospital, Prince Mshiyeni

Hospital, RK Khan Hospital, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital,

McCords Hospital, King Dinizulu Hospital, Mandela

Children`s Hospital, Mahatma Ghandi Hospital,

Osindindisweni Hospital, St Aidans Hospital, Addington

Hospital, Clairwood Hospital

 

 Limpopo:

Mankweng Hospital, Lebowakgomo Hospital,

Dilokong Hospital, Maklenburg Hospital,

Eastern Cape: 

Frere Hospital, Elliot Hospital, Livingstone

Hospital, PE Hospital, Uitenhage Hospital

 

Western Cape:

Tygerberg Hospital, Groote Schuur

Hospital, Red Cross Hospital

"The focus had been on the 80% to 90% of South Africans who were using public health facilities. As part of the intervention, the department was considering a phased investment in renewable energy through solar power installation at health facilities as part of the energy mix", said Phaahla.

He added that government would have to include alternative sources of energy, over and above generators, in its planning and budgeting for the future construction of health facilities

Pic: healthline.com

by Everngelista Muza