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

The City of Cape Town urges parents to monitor children ahead of Guy Fawkes Day

The City of Cape Town is advising parents to keep a close watch on their children as Guy Fawkes Day approaches on Tuesday. Unlike the Drakenstein Municipality, Cape Town is unable to enforce a ban on fireworks due to legal limitations.

However, the city is urging residents to avoid using fireworks, citing risks to animals, individuals, and local businesses. Guy Fawkes Day marks the anniversary of the 1605 gunpowder plot, where a group attempted to blow up the British Parliament and King James I.

JP Smith, the MMC for Safety and Security, stated, while a ban on fireworks would be ideal, it is unfortunately beyond the city's control.

"A ban on fireworks is the best solution, but unfortunately that is outside of the city's purview, and we will ensure that we play our part to curb it as best possible," he said.

Done by: Stephanie Van Rayen

 

Homeless individuals removed from Castle of Good Hope

A group of homeless people has been evicted from the Castle of Good Hope after living there for two years. On Friday, the court sheriff, with help from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Cape Town Metro Police, removed the unauthorized occupants from the national monument. 

Before the eviction, two structures were set on fire in protest, but there was no further resistance once police and firefighters arrived to put out the fire. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis called the eviction an important step for the city. 

"The City of Cape Town welcomes this positive milestone. Positive for the whole city, positive for this heritage site, and positive for those who were living in indignity at this site for several years. This has been a very visible site of urban decay in recent years, and its clean up today is an important moment for urban restoration in the city," Hill-Lewis said.

He said he was relieved that the illegal occupation has ended, noting its impact on tourism and the well-being of those affected. The Department of Public Works obtained an eviction order two months ago to clear the area. The homeless individuals have been offered shelter at safe space facilities in the city.

Done by: Stephanie Van Rayen

Police arrest three in KwaZulu-Natal for fraudulent marriage scheme

Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested three suspects for allegedly assisting foreign nationals in obtaining citizenship through fraudulent marriages.

An office thought to be used for these activities was found in Durban. The arrested individuals include two Pakistani nationals and a South African.

According to police, the suspects allegedly acquired South African Identity Documents through theft to facilitate the marriages.

Authorities suspect that this scam has been operating for 25 years.

Done by; Stephanie Van Rayen

Two prisoners arrested for extortion related charges

Two prisoners were arrested last week for extortion related charges.

PICTURE: PIXABAY

According to police, the two suspects operated from prison, extorting their victim, who had to pay protection fees on a weekly basis.

‘’They also created a false Facebook account and used the victim’s identity to sell products of which the buyers never received the products,’’ said Sergeant Wesley Twigg, Western Cape police spokesperson.

The two suspects, aged 23 and 24, were arrested and appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates’ court on Friday, 25 October 2024. They were remanded in custody.

Western Cape police appealed to the public to report extortion related incidents on the Western Cape Extortion Hotline on 0800 31 4444 so that these incidents can be thoroughly investigated and perpetrators be brought to book.

 

Done By: Bush Radio News

Nine people lost their lives in the Cape Metro over the weekend due to informal structure fires

Nine people lost their lives in the Cape Metro over the weekend due to informal structure fires.

In the first incident, four persons sustained fatal burn wounds, including three minors, in an early morning fire in Manuel Street, Wallacedene, on Saturday,

‘’At 04:40, the bodies of a man and woman were discovered after firefighters extinguished a blaze in Bida Crescent, Victoria Mxenge,’’ said Jermaine Carelse, City of cape town Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson.

Later the day, firefighters responded to a wendy house burning in Epping Forest – they found the body of a minor beneath the debris.  Two other persons were displaced and unharmed.

Just after midnight on Sunday, an emergency call was received of structures alight near the Chris Hani High School in Khayelitsha.

‘’The fire was extinguished by 01:45 – two adults, genders unknown, sustained fatal burn wounds,’’ said Carelse.

According to the City of Cape Town, firefighters responded to 48 informal structure fires this weekend

‘’It was a grim weekend for our firefighters as they battled 48 informal structure fires in which nine people lost their lives. I want to extend my condolences to the families. Fires are devastating and traumatic for all those involved. As we head into summer and much higher temperatures,  I want to encourage residents to exercise caution at all times with open flames whether fires, candles or cooking methods,’’ said JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.

‘’The unlawful occupation of land creates a number of challenges for the City and this includes our emergency and enforcement responses to incidents. Our officers are on scene in record time, but are hampered by other factors such as access. Current legislation urgently needs to be amended to prevent the proliferation of land invasions, which exacerbate fire risks,’’ he added.

The South African Police Service are probing the matter.

 

Done by: Mitchum George

Triple murder in Khayelitsha

Western Cape police are investigating yet another mass murder.

PICTURE: Pixabay

A man and two women were shot and killed in site C, Khayelitsha, on Sunday evening.

‘’On Sunday evening at around 20:20 police responded to a murder complaint and discovered the body of a 26-year-old male in a passage in Island Site C, Khayelitsha with a gunshot wound. The bodies of two females, also in their twenties and both with gunshot wounds were discovered in a shack not far from the first scene. The motive for the murders is yet to be determined,’’ said Colonel Andrè Traut, Western Cape police spokesperson.

Anyone with information regarding the incident are urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111

 

Done By: Elona Sibunzi

City of Cape Town to evict homeless residents near Castle of Good Hope

The City of Cape Town is planning to evict homeless individuals who are currently residing unlawfully around the Castle of Good Hope.

Picture: Pixabay

This follows an eviction order granted to the Public Works and Infrastructure Department by the Western Cape High Court in September.

 Those living outside the Castle were given until October 17 to leave the area. The city stated that it is consulting with those affected and aims to provide transitional shelters where possible.

While no new official eviction date has been announced, the city indicated that, after exploring all support options, residents will be asked to leave with their belongings.

Previous eviction attempts by the City of Cape Town have been unsuccessful due to the property being owned by the public works department.

 

Done by: Stephanie Van Rayen

 

Trio believed to be behind Bishop Lavis mass murder, arrested

Western Cape police made a breakthrough in a mass murder that occurred in Bishop Lavis

PICTURE: Pixabay

Six people - four men and two women - were shot and killed in Kogelberg Street on Thursday evening. Two other persons were wounded during the shooting incident. However, police confirmed on that a 26-year-old woman has succumbed to serious head injuries on Friday morning

‘’Police reports from the scene indicate that at approximately 20:40 an armed suspect entered an informal dwelling and fired several shots at the occupants. Murder and attempted murder dockets were opened for investigation with Anti-Gang Unit detectives investigating the cases. No arrests have been effected yet. The ages of the deceased persons are between 24 and 55.’’

The Bishop Lavis shooting incident happens on the back of another shooting where five people were shot and killed in Atlantis early on Wednesday evening.

‘’Both shooting incidents are believed to be gang related,’’ said Brigadier Novela Potelwa, Western Cape police spokesperson, on Thursday.

A day later, three suspects aged 17, 24 and 29, were arrested. According to Potelwa, ‘’the SAPS WC multidisciplinary tracing team worked through the night’’ to ensure arrests were made.

‘’During the tracing operation, a firearm was also confiscated. It has been sent for ballistic testing to determine if it was utilised in the commission of any crimes,’’ said Brigadier Novela Potelwa, Western Cape police spokesperson.

The suspects are facing murder, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm charges. They are scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Potelwa said additional deployments were assigned to Bishop Lavis, and the officers will remain in the area ‘’in efforts to stabilise the area. They will conduct patrols, high density operations and raids.’’

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Five shot and killed in Atlantis, five others left wounded

Five people were shot and killed whilst five others were left injured on Wednesday evening in Atlantis.

PICTURE: Pixabay

‘’Reports from the scene indicate the victims of the shooting incident were returning home in three vehicles from the Silverstroom beach when yet-to-be identified gunmen opened fire on the vehicles on the corner of Old Mamre and Silverstream Roads. As a consequence five individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 were fatally wounded and five others rushed to a medical facility after sustaining gunshot wounds,’’ said Brigadier Novela Potelwa, Western Cape police spokesperson.

Atlantis police are since probing cases of murder and attempted murder.

‘’As the investigation unfold, it is expected that the motive for the shooting incident will be determined. No arrests have been effected yet,’’ said Potelwa.

 

Done By: Bush Radio News

Rwandan genocide suspect moved to different prison due to safety concerns

A suspect in the Rwandan genocide has been transferred from Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town to Heldestroom Prison in Caledon due to a security concern.

This information was presented to the Cape Town Regional Court on Thursday, where Fulgence Kayishema was scheduled to appear. The 64-year-old has been incarcerated since May of last year, following his arrest on a farm in Paarl.

He is accused of evading capture for over two decades and residing in South Africa under an alias. Kayishema did not attend court because police were unable to transport him from Caledon prison in time.

He faces 56 immigration-related charges and is considered the most wanted remaining fugitive from the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Joseph Habinshuti, a spokesperson for Kayishema's family, stated that the news regarding the security threat in prison is not surprising. 

"Our man is innocent but because there is a vendetta in our country that whoever they don't want they put any charge and when they can't they eliminate him. That's what we're seeing now," said Habinshuti.

Kayishema is scheduled to return to the Cape Town Regional Court on November 28.

Done by: Stephanie Van Rayen