Manenberg residents heads to the polls for by-election

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Western Cape has urged residents in Ward 30 in the Cape metro to exercise their right by voting in Wednesday’s by-elections to choose a new councillor.

The ward, which includes Manenberg, was left vacant following the death of the Democratic Alliance’s Bonita Jacobs in August, who passed away due to a short illness.

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Nine candidates, which includes the Patriotic Alliance (PA) Yumna Alexander; Al Jama-ah’s Sheikh Shameegh Nordien; African Christian Democratic Party’s (ACDP) Anwar Constance; African National Congress (ANC) candidate Yamkela Mayalo; Democratic Alliance (DA) Deidree Carol de Vos; National Coloured Congress (NCC) candidate Mogamat Yusuf Hope; Truth and Solidarity Movement’s Abdul Karriem van der Schyff; uMkhonto we Sizwe’s (MK) Moewada Abrahams, are contesting this by-election, with each promising solutions to the area’s most pressing challenges, such as gang violence, unemployment, and service delivery.

According to the IEC, there are 16 978 registered voters in Ward 30.

Voting stations opened at 7a.m and will close at 9pm. Your ‘cross’ can be made at Phoenix High School, Edendale primary School, Manenberg People’s Centre, The Downs Community Centre, Rio Grande Primary School, Salvation Army Centre in Manenberg, Manenberg high School, and Manenberg Primary School.

Voters are reminded to vote at the voting station of the voting district in which they are registered and must be in possession of either a green barcoded ID book, a Smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Police intelligence led to a firearm confiscation in Knysna

A crime combatting operation led to the confiscation of a firearm by police in efforts eradicating rising illegal firearms in Knysna.

“On Tuesday members attached to the Knysna police responded to information of an illegal firearm on board a vehicle. The team patrolled the area when they spotted the vehicle parked near a building site in Main Street, Knysna,” said Sergeant Christopher Spies.

“A search of the vehicle ensued upon which the members found a 9mm short pistol with an empty magazine concealed inside the vehicle. Police confiscated the firearm and arrested a 45-year-old man on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm,” added Spies.

Picture by: SAPS/X

The suspects will be scheduled to appear in the local Magistrate’s court in Knysna once charged.

 

Done by: Sihle Jezile

Three Burundi nationals in court for allegedly kidnapping teenager

 

Three Burundi nationals are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town today on charges of abduction.

The 14-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped by three Burundi nationals a week ago. The Western Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said the suspects were arrested on Sunday and Monday after the multi-disciplinary team reacted to intelligence and received a tracing and take-down operation which led them to saving the victim.

Ongoing investigations led to the arrest of a third suspect on Monday, November 18. The 3 Burundi nationals are scheduled to make their first court appearance today.

Done by: Shaneca Cupido

Nine children hospitalized after eating contaminated chips in Mossel Bay

Pending lab tests aim to uncover the cause of illness in nine children at a school in Mossel Bay.

The students shared chips from a local spaza shop before experiencing stomach cramps on Monday. All nine have recovered and have been discharged from the hospital.

Garden Route Mayor Andrew Stroebel stated that environmental health officials are investigating the incident.

"The chips will be sent to a laboratory and test results will be made public once received back" he said.

In addition to stomach cramps, the Western Cape Education Department(WCED) noted that the Grade 5 pupils from Imekhaya Primary School in KwaNonqaba also reported itchy skin.

Since September, more than 890 suspected food contamination cases have been documented across the country, resulting in at least 22 fatalities among children linked to suspected food poisoning.

 

Done by: Stephanie Van Rayen

A minor was killed and two others were wounded after a shooting incident in Ravensmead

A 14-year-old was killed and two other teenagers were left wounded after unknown gunmen opened fire randomly in Ravensmead this morning.

Picture by: SAPS/X

 

“The scene indicates that the children were on their way to school when the shooting occurred. It is alleged that two gunmen in a vehicle disembarked in Donnegal Street and fired shots .As a consequence the 14 year old was killed and others aged 15 and 17 were injured. They were transported to a medical facility for treatment,” said, Brigadier Novela Potelwa.

A case for murder and attempted murder has been opened. Police have since launched a manhunt for the perpetrators responsible.

“The area has been bolstered with additional deployments in an effort to stabilise the precinct and the motive for the shooting forms part of ongoing investigations,” added Potelwa.

Done by: Sihle Jezile

Uncomfortable weather conditions for the Western Cape on Wednesday

The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for extremely uncomfortable conditions for parts of the West Coast District in the Western Cape.

High night and daytime temperatures are expected in some areas.

PICTURE: Pixabay

Weather forecaster, Khanyisa Makhubalo, said a cut-off low pressure system will bring heavy thunderstorms over the southern parts of the province Wednesday

“We are expecting thunder storms to result in heavy downpours, strong winds, possibility of hail, and excessive lightning for the areas of the Overberg regions, Southern parts of the Cape Winelands and South Western Parts of the Garden Route. “ said Makhubalo.

Furthermore, she said this rain could result to some flooding as well as damage to infrastructure.

Done By: Elona Sibunzi

Motorists urged to pay their fines timeously: JP Smith

A total of 360 individuals have been arrested by the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement officials over the past week. Over 71 000 traffic by-law offences have also bee recorded.

MMC for Safety and Security JP Smith said an officer using the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system in Bellville identified a motorist with 262 fines and 114 warrants.

The 34-year-old suspect was arrested and appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

 PICTURE: Pixabay

Smith says, it is important to pay timely fines and announced a roadshow, starting on December 2.

“We’ve highlighted multiple arrests in recent months where scoff laws have been tracked down either by our specialist tracing team or via the NPR technology. This system has improved efficiency by allowing our officers to focus on the right vehicles, which means it is becoming increasingly difficult to hide. And we therefore advise motorists to pay their fines timeously if they do want to end up behind bars.” Said Smith.

Man charged with bomb threats in Bellville held in custody

A man accused of making bomb threats in Bellville is currently in custody.

Ferdinand Fortuin, 49, is scheduled to appear in court next Monday to request bail.

He was arrested in Mamre last week after allegedly calling the Bellville Police Station to report bombs at several locations, including the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Transnet Building in Bellville South and the Bellville Taxi Rank.

On the same day, he also made a similar threat to the Road Traffic Emergency toll-free number.

Investigators from the Hawks found that the cellphone number used for the threats was later connected to a different device.

 

Done by: Stephanie Van Rayen

Missing person in Claremont: Police are asking for assistance

The Claremont Police are requesting the public’s help in location Dhananjaya Naidoo, whose photography is attached.

Picture by: SAPS

“He was last seen on Saturday, 16 November 2024, when he left his home to take a walk in the Newlands Forest area and has not been heard from since. His vehicle was discovered in Newlands Forest yesterday. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing blue jeans, a blue checked shirt, and a grey cap,” said detective Sergeant Donavan Mckenna.

Any person with information can contact the Claremont Police Station or Crime Stop.

 

Done by: Sihle Jezile

Two people have been arrested related to gunfire at a church in Khayelitsha

Over the weekend, police were performing stop-and-search operations in Harare when they heard gunshots and followed the sound to a church.

The churchgoers were told to stay on the premises while a search was carried out.

"Police members heard the engine of a vehicle started and they approached it. One of the passengers urgently requested to use the bathroom, he was searched and found to be in possession of a Tokarev Vector 9mm pistol, of which the serial number was removed. Another person was approached and searched and in his sling bag was found a CZ 9mm firearm, of which the serial number was removed, with an empty cartridge", said the police's Frederick Van Wyk.

 

Done by: Stephanie Van Rayen

The 25th WaterNet/WARSFA/GWP-SA Symposium

The 25th WaterNet/WARSFA/GWP-SA Symposium, held for the first time in Lesotho, brought together experts from Southern and Eastern Africa to discuss critical issues in water resource management. This year's theme, “Enhancing Sustainability: Upscaling Innovations and Best Practices for Integrated Catchment and Water Resources Management in Eastern and Southern Africa – Leaving No One Behind,” emphasized the importance of inclusive practices and collaboration.

Picture by: Sihle Jezile

Researchers presented findings that not only focused on innovative approaches to water management but also highlighted the significance of engaging youth and communities in these efforts.

“There are two very important statistics came that out recently, one is from is from the Linkedin global green skills report and there they found that from 2023 to 2023, the growth in demand for jobs in green skills increased by 23%, and at the same time people who have green skills only increased by 12,3%, this means that there many more jobs out there that require green skills,” said, Camila Haux, specialist for Management and Economics at Yoma.

Done by: Sihle Jezile