TAC impressed with O’Regan-Pikoli Commission of Inquiry work

Loyiso Langeni
31 March 2014

The Treatment Action Campaign says the question of resource allocation and accountability looms over the O’Regan-Pikoli Commission of Inquiry. 

The commission has heard evidence from high-ranking SAPS members at cluster, provincial and national level.  

The commission is investigating allegations of inefficiency at police stations in Khayelitsha. 

TAC’s Mike Hamnca said they are happy that the commission has finally taken place because it brings progress to their communities.

"We want the commission to build policies and make people understand why we are having an outcry of police inefficiencies in our communities.” Hamnca added.

16 cases of sexual misconduct received by WCED

Loyiso Langeni
31 March 2014

The Western Cape Department of Education said in the last financial year there have been 16 cases of sexual teacher misconduct on learner that have been reported to the department.

Ministerial Spokesperson Bronagh Casey said five educators have been found guilty and the sanction was dismissal in all five cases. 

There were 27 cases of sexual learner misconduct in 2013. 

Casey said we view all cases of sexual misconduct very seriously, and with regard to educators we report them to the council of educators and there may be strapped off the teacher role depending on the nature of the offence.

“And then in terms of the learners each school is required to have a code of conduct which is determined by the school governing body after which a wide process of consultation in line with the SA Schools Act.  This legislation divides offences into minor and serious misconduct, and serious misconduct could warrant expulsion” Casey added.   

WC police investigating the murder of a 13-year-old boy in Hanover Park

Loyiso Langeni
31 March 2014

Police are searching for a suspect who shot and killed a 13-year-old boy in Hanover Park. 

The boy was caught in a crossfire on Saturday night.  Police Spokesperson Andre Traut said the suspect fled the scene before police arrived on the scene. 

The circumstances surrounding the matter are being investigated by police.

Meanwhile the African Christian Democratic Party in the Western Cape has called for immediate action after the death of the 10-year-old child. 

ACDP Provincial Leader Ferlon Christians said provincial and national government must stop playing the blame game and instead need to fight crime together. 

“We as the ACDP are asking SAPS, Metro Police, Law Enforcement and Security make a co-ordinated effort in order to stop these violent killings of innocent people.” Christians added.

A head-on collision accident leaves three people dead in Mpumalanga

Lusanda Bill
31 March 2014

Three people died and two others were left severally injured in an accident on the R510 in Mpumalanga. 

It is believed that two cars collided into each resulting in the tragic accident of where all three males of the one vehicle died on the scene. 

ER24 Spokesperson Russel Meiring said on scene provincial rescue services personals had to use the jaws of life equipment to free two men from the other vehicle who survived the collision.

Meiring said they were both treated on scene for their moderate chest and leg injuries they sustained.  They were then transported to hospital for further medical care.

Motor vehicle license fee increase gazetted in the WC

Lusanda Bill
31 March 2014

The draft regulation pertaining to motor vehicle licence fee increase in the province were on Friday gazetted. 

Western Cape MEC of Transport and Public Works Robin Carlisle said the proposed increase by 3.4 percent should be subjected to a full public participation process. 

MEC Carlisle said the province has not increased motor vehicle registration and licence fees since 2005. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Siphesihle Dube said the increase is below the inflation rate of 5.9% recorded in February 2014.  Revenue generated from these vehicle licenses goes to building, upgrading and maintaining provincial owned roads.

Dube added that the money also goes to assisting municipalities to fund and maintain their strategic roads and also to continue reducing our maintenance backlog.  

COPE happy with Dina Pule’s withdrawal on ANC national list

Lusanda Bill
31 March 2014

The Congress of the People on Friday welcomed former Communication Minister Dina Pule’s withdrawal of her candidacy on the ANC’s national list for MP’s. 

Cope President Mosiuoa Lekota said public representation must show integrity and be accountable. 

Party National Spokesperson Johan Abrie said she has been severally disgraced in the public eye and she is not fit to hold any public position.  

Abrie said she did the right thing to draw her name from the list and not to be elected to a position of power.

Five died in an accident in Kromdraai

Mluleki Mrwebi
31 March 2014

Five people tragically lost their lives when the vehicle they were traveling in lost control and overturned several times before coming to a halt in a river in Kromdraai west of Johannesburg. 

The occupants were on their way to Manziville when the accident happened. 

ER24 Spokesperson Werner Vermaak it is alleged that the vehicle veered off the road and landed on the river on its roof.

Vermaak further said bystanders managed to turn the vehicle back onto its wheels and pulled out six people but five of them succumbed to their injuries and the injured person was transported to hospital in a critical condition.

The exact details to the cause of the accidents are unknown and the police are investigating.

Two people arrested for murder in KZN

Loyiso Langeni
30 March 2014

Two suspects from Phoenix were arrested for murder of a 24-year-old man who was beaten to death with a golf stick.

Police Spokesperson Captain Thulani Zwane said the suspects aged 28 and 34-years-old are expected to appear in court soon on a charge of murder.

“It is alleged that the victim went to one of the suspect’s house to collect his money,

On his arrival there he was allegedly attacked by two suspects, he was assaulted with a golf stick. ” Zwane.

Zwane concluded by saying that he was rushed to the hospital where he later died due to the injuries he sustained.

Six people died, multiple injured in separate accidents

Loyiso Langeni
30 March 2014

Six people have died and three injured in a road accident, when their light delivery vehicle had collided with a truck on the N1 about 50km from Bloemfontein this afternoon.

Netcare 911 Spokesperson Santi Steinmann said the tree injured people were treated on scene before they were transported to hospital for further medical care.

Exact details to the cause of the accident are unknown at this stage but police are investigating the matter.

In another accident a light delivery vehicle had left the roadway, overturned and came to a standstill in a field next to the side of the road in Zinkwezi yesterday.

Netcare 911 Spokesperson said eleven people sustained serious injuries and after receiving treatment on scene they were transported to hospital for further medical care.

Exact detail to the cause of the accident and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation.

 

 

Missing Adult Alert:

CGE welcomes Kutumela’s sentence

Loyiso Langeni
30 March 2014

The Commission for Gender Equality has welcomed the judgement handed down to against the pregnant teen’s killer, Thato Kutumela.

Kutumela was sentenced to 10 years for raping and 20 for murdering 18-year-old Zanele Khumalo three years ago.

CGE Spokelersperson Javu Baloyi said this will send a strong message to society that our justice system is working and justice will be seen not being heard that, and will serve a deterrent to those that who will want to commit such approach, they need to make sure this trend stops.

Baloyi added that The CGE believes that such a successful prosecution will definitely give courage to other victims of gender-based violence to come out and testify as the country deals with the scourge of violence against women.

 

One person injured in a collision in Ballito

Loyiso Langeni
30 March 2014

Netcare 911 paramedics and other services responded to an accident on Compensation Link Road in Ballito yesterday.

Paramedics spokesperson Santi Steinmann said upon their arrival on scene they found that two vehicles were involved in a rear-end collision resulting in one of the vehicles overturning.

Steinmann added that one person was found to be in a serious condition and after receiving treatment on scene, the patient was transported to hospital for further medical care.

Exact detail to the cause of the accident and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation.

A 55 year old man died after pierced by water pipe

Loyiso Langeni
29 March 2014

ER24 paramedics rushed to an accident scene whereby a 55-year-old man died after he slipped and fell into a trench in Newcastle, yesterday.

Paramedics Spokesperson Werner Vermaak said they arrived on the brick manufacturing site and found the deceased hanging from a water pipe, which had pierced his body as he fell into the 10-meter-deep water trench.

Vermaak added that after fire department personnel removed the pipe from his body, paramedics found that he succumbed to the severe wounds caused by the pipe pierced through his body.

He concluded by saying that It is unclear how the man fell into the trench however paramedics reported that the trench was not barricaded and there were loose bricks strewn along its edges.

The relevant authorities were on scene to investigate the incident.

An accident claims three lives in Vereeniging

Loyiso Langeni
29 March 2014

Netcare 911 paramedics and other services responded to an accident at the intersection of Houtkop Road and Waterdal Road in  whereby three people died.

Netcare 911 Spokesperson Santi Steinmann Upon their arrival on scene they found that a motor vehicle had left the road way and collided with a tree resulting in the three male occupants of the vehicle tragically losing their lives.

Exact detail to the cause of the accident and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation.

 

 

Two pedestrians injured in an accident in Johannesburg

Loyiso Langeni
29 March 2014

Two males have been critically injured after they were hit by a vehicle in Hendrick Potgieter Road in Johannesburg West, yesterday.

ER24 Spokesperson Werner Vermaak said the pedestrian along with the second victim sustained severe head injuries as a result of the collision.

Vermaak added that they have stabilised the two critically injured men, one of them was taken to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. The second pedestrian was transported by ambulance to Flora Hospital for the medical relevant treatment.

It is unclear how the collision occurred and the relevant investigations are currently underway. 

 

New flight route between Plettenberg Bay and Cape Town launched

Mluleki Mrwebi
29 March 2014

Western Cape government on Friday launched new flights between Plettenberg Bay and Cape Town. 

MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde said Plettenberg Bay is a popular holiday destination, and its nearest airport is George Airport which most of the time poses an inconvenience for some travellers. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Bronwynne Jooste according to the organisesrs market research show there was a need for routes between Plettenberg Bay and Cape Town.

She added that is it good for tourism because it always benefits both destination.

 

Two men shot and killed a woman in Mahlabathini

Mluleki Mrwebi
28 March 2014

Three suspects aged between 26 and 34-years-old were arrested by Mahlabathini police for murder and being in possession of unlicensed firearms. 

Police Spokesperson Captain Thulani Zwane said the suspects shot a 71-year-old woman and the motive for the killing is still unknown.

Zwane said it is alleged that the woman was at her house when the suspects arrived and shot her dead.

Zwane added that the suspects were arrested and a firearm was recovered and its going for testing while the suspects will appear in court soon.

Minister Connie September launched housing project in Blue Downs

Mluleki Mrwebi
28 March 2014

National Minister of Human Settlements Connie September today launched the Nuwe Begin Blue Downs Housing Project. 

The project consists of 1 244 houses allocated to qualifying beneficiaries from ward 19 and 92 in Khayelitsha. 

The Western Cape MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela said this housing event was held without him being notified about it. 

MEC Madikizela said this shows that the ANC has no respect for the principles of Cooperate Governance and Inter Government Relations.

Minister September said we have what we low housing opportunity and this projects looks for people that low income earners. 

Metrorail in the Western Cape condemns torching of trains

Mluleki Mrwebi
28 March 2014

Angry Metrorail commuters on Thursday evening stoned and torched a train at Esplande Station. 

Western Cape Metrorail’s Regional Manager Mthuthuzeli Swartz said the incident started by the commuters stoning the train and then the violence escalated and thereafter they torched the train. 

Swartz said this incident is very unfortunate. 

Swart said out of this incident it was a coach which is a first class, as well as a plain trailer they were extensively damaged.

Meanwhile Mthuthuzeli Swartz also condemned the incident saying given the strain of available trains in the province this will only make things worse. 

Over the past two weeks trains have been delayed in and around Cape Town with Metrorail saying the delays are due to infrastructure problems. 

Swartz said this acts ends up causing the same people more problems and more delays and Metrorail urges all citizens to fight against this kind of behaviour by reporting incidents of violence. 

KZN discover drugs at a taxi rank in Ladysmith

Lusanda Bill
28 March 2014

KwaZulu Natal police are searching for a suspect or suspects who are believed to have stashed and are operating drugs at a taxi rank in Ladysmith. 

KwaZulu Natal Spokesperson Jay Naicker said it is alleged that a drug peddler would keep drugs as well as cash in a small bag at a container in the rank. He would conduct a deal in the area and when the need arose he would return to the container to refill his pockets.

Naicker said during the routine search at the taxi rank police discovered 19 mandrax tablets and 82 straws of heroine.  A small amount of cash was also found.

“Police have estimated the drugs to be about R 3 600 and the search for the suspects is intensifying” Naicker added.

 

Missing Adult Alert: Wendy Clarke

Three pedestrians died after being knocked over by a car

Lusanda Bill
28 March 2014

An accident in Centurion, Johannesburg this morning left three people dead and two seriously injured. 

Netcare 911 Spokesperson Santi Steinmann said a light delivery vehicle collided with four pedestrians which resulted in three of the pedestrian loosing their lives and one left seriously injured.

Steinmann said the driver of the light delivery vehicle sustained injuries during the accident.

"The two injured people were treated on scene before being transferred to hospital for the further medical care that they needed” Steinmann added.

One child died, and three family members injured in an accident

Loyiso Langeni
28 March 2014

ER24 paramedics attended to an accident late Thursday after on the N14 near Diepsloot whereby a 12-year-old girl was killed and her mother and two siblings were left injured. 

It is believed that the vehicle they were traveling in overturned. 

ER24 Spokesperson Russel Meiring said paramedics immediately assessed the family, who were ejected from the vehicle, and discovered that one of the children showed no signs of life.

“Resuscitation of the child ensued immediately but was unsuccessful. She was declared dead on scene. Her family members were treated for the moderate injuries they sustained and transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.” Miering added.

The cause of the collision is unknown and investigations are underway.

Cosatu calls for corrupt officials to be brought to book

Mluleki Mrwebi
28 March 2014

The Congress of South African Trade Union said it welcomes the report by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on the squandering of public funds on the Nkandla development. 

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela released her report on the upgrades at Zuma's private Nkandla homestead, in KwaZulu-Natal, last week. 

The report found that Jacob Zuma and his family duly benefited from the Nkandla security upgrades and the total coast is R 246 million.

Cosatu Spokesperson Patrick Craven said as cosatu we feel that what other people may say about the report but Cosatu calls for all the contents of the report to be implemented because it shows that there has been some financial mismanagement.

TRC under spotlight as victims are dissatisfied with the commission

Andile Mbanjwa
27 March 2014

A non- profit community based organization called Khulumani held a peaceful march to parliament today to handover a memorandum demanding the payment of reparation of the victims of gross human rights violation under apartheid that were left unpaid by the TRC.

One of the victims, Shenxiswa Constance Mlung from KTC, Nyanga who suffered a great deal during apartheid, shared her suffering. “We didn’t get any compensation from the TRC. When our houses were set alight in KTC, we were told to go to a certain hall in Athlone where we were only given R2 as reparation by the people who claimed to be from the TRC.

Constance Mlungu said I’m hoping this much will yield good results so that we may be compensated as the victims who suffered a lot during the apartheid”.

The memorandum was accepted by Collin Dubrein, an Arial court manager at Cape Town Magistrate’s Court, on behalf of the department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

MEC Winde concerned about the shortage of skills in financial services

Mluleki Mrwebi
27 March 2014

Western Cape government says a lack of skills in financial services in the province has been listed as a critical issue.

Western Cape MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde said proposed skills development initiatives will equip young people with the skills needed. 

MEC Winde said skills development is one of the province’s key focus areas. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Bronwynne Jooste said there is a lack skills in the financial sector and because this is one of the Western Cape key areas.

Jooste added that the province along the University of Cape Town will spend R300 million in the next three years in campaigns of skills development in various sector.  

WCED improves quality education through testing teachers

Lusanda Bill
27 March 2014

The Western Cape Department of Education said the competency testing for National Senior Certificate markers is a way to improve quality throughout the education system in the province.

Ministerial Spokesperson Bronagh Casey said the test is to ensure that there is the highest possible standard of marking in these examinations. 

Casey said the Western Cape is the only province to conduct the testing of markers and have already done the testing process for 2014.

“In the last two weeks potential markers have participated in the competency testing process set by examinators and moderators appointed by the WCED” Casey added.

Ministerial Spokesperson Bronagh Casey said the test asses the content knowledge of the applicant in their particular subject, their application of knowledge and skills and their making ability.

Department of Home Affairs satisfied with progress of Smart ID Cards

Lusanda Bill
27 March 2014

The Department of Home Affairs says it has processed so far over 140 000 Smart ID cards and has exceeded its target of 100 000. 

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Fatiema Chohan on Wednesday said the department has about 26 000 Smart ID Cards that need to be collected. 

Chohan said this month pensioners who are 60-years and above born in March are encouraged to go and apply for their Smart ID Cards in over the 30 offices earmarked for this project.

“There are some delays in people coming to fetch and collect their ID cards once they have applied for them.  In this regard we have received reports of people calling our hotline once they have received an sms calling on them to come to collect their Smart ID cards at the offices of the department” Chohan added.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Fatiema Chohan said these hotline queries have been to the effect that many people suspect that the sms sent by the department is a hoax because they have only applied for the cards two or three days before. 

MEC Winde says power outages is costing the economy

Loyiso Langeni
27 March 2014

Western Cape MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde says power outages represent a significant cost to the South African economy. 

MEC Winde said the Green Economy Strategic Framework seeks to position the province as the lowest carbon province in the country and drive job creation in this sector. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Bronwynne Jooste said safe there are indications that Eskom’s power supply is still under strain so we may face a crisis and continued outages into the winter of 2014.

“That’s why, here in the Western Cape we invest in renewable energy so that we can move away from the reliance of coal,” Jooste added.

Western Cape government launched a petition to fight crime

Mluleki Mrwebi
27 March 2014

The Western Cape government has launched a petition to end gang violence in the province with community members in Delft signing the petition. 

Provincial government says the petition is aimed at securing support for interventions like deployment of the army as a short term measure. 

Democratic Leader in the Western Cape Ivan Meyer said the long term solution to gangsterism lies in social upliftment. 

Meyer said the petition calls for three things: call for the specialized  gang units,specialised units, calling for more police reservists to be deployed, because police visibility is much needed. 

 

A man found dead by a security guard near Umbilo

Mluleki Mrwebi
26 March 2014

A man was this morning found dead by a security guard who was patrolling the area near a sports ground in Umbilo, KwaZulu Natal. 

ER24 Spokesperson Russel Meiring said paramedics found the man severely and he was declared dead on scene.

He also said the man was lying on a matrass in the bushes and the paramedics had to inform the police. 

The exact details of the cause of this man’s death are unknown and police are currently investigating the incident.

Western Cape government hosts after school youth safety programme

Mluleki Mrwebi
26 March 2014

The Western Cape Department of Community Safety hosted an After School Youth Safety Programme. 

The programme occupies learners and out of school youth with after school activities in various areas. 

Senior Manager for Social Crime Prevention at the Department of Community Safety in the Western Cape Advocate Anetha Michaels said the programme also helps encourage youth in gang affected areas. 

Michaels said there are six hubs that have been identified by the City of Cape Town,Hanover Park ,Kleinvlei and Khayelitsha.

She added that these learners will be kept busy by the students Crisis Academy and they will be shown around.

Public dialogue on elections gives people a platform to speak out

Andile Mbanjwa
26 March 2014

 Professor Steven Friedman

A public dialogue on South Africa’s national elections was held at the Centre for the Book at Gardens in Cape Town.

The dialogue, which was chaired by Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, dean of humanities at the University of Cape Town, and addressed by Professor Steven Friedman, director of the centre for the study of democracy at the University of Johannesburg, was focusing on the upcoming elections and the elements around the elections.

Speaking at the dialogue, Friedman called for the IEC head, Pansy Tlakula to step down as the head of the commission, following the IFP concerns about some of the IEC officials who are recruited from the ANC affiliate, SADTU.

 

Panel

The IFP argued that this will not ensure free and fair elections.

Friedman said, “If that’s an IFP concern it needs to be addressed. Elections are very much about confidence. The elections are very much about people having confidence if the process is fair. I think if any political party says it doesn’t want particular people in the electoral committee, those officials then need to be taken very seriously, and certainly the IFP’s point that SADTU Is affiliated to COSATU, which is an ANC allied is a valid point. So I think that makes IFP’s point justifiable.” 

WCED appoints over 100 teachers to improve foundation phase maths and language

Lusanda Bill
26 March 2014

The Western Cape Department of Education has appointed about one hundred additional foundation phase teachers. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Bronagh Casey said these additional teachers have been brought for two reasons, and one of those reasons is as part of the WCED’s strategic objective to improving language and mathematics in foundation phase. 

Casey said the additional teaching posts in foundation phase are also to alleviate pressures of the high grade one enrolment in 2014. Our enrolment went from 107 000 to over 111 000 this year.

“These posts will cost the department approximately R30 million and have been done regarding saving that we have actual saved within the department” Casey added.

Houses to be handed over to residents in De Doorns

Lusanda Bill
26 March 2014

Today the Western Cape MEC of Human Settlement Bonginkosi Madikizela will be attending the official handover ceremony of housing unit to beneficiaries of the De Doorns project.  

Ministerial Spokesperson Zalisle Mbali said the project is expected to deliver 1 400 house when completed.

Mbali said the project has a budget of about R140 million which we will be spending with the department as well as the municipality. 

“The holistic planning of the project will also include other amenities such as schools, health facilities, churches, community facilities as well as business side” Mbali added.