Belvile Library fully operational again

Good news for library patrons attending in Bellville The City of Cape Town announced that the facility has resumed its normal operations after it scaled back services for just under two months, while work got under way to address urgent ventilation issues.

PICTURE: Pixabay

The City warned that work to repair the library’s industrial Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is ongoing, but the weather has cooled down, which means that the facility is now able to maintain required indoor air quality standards. The HVAC suffered irreparable damage as a result of ongoing acts of vandalism over an extended period of time.

The municipality said contractors have been on site for the past two months, to conduct repairs to address airflow and air quality problems. Over the peak summer period, the library provided limited services, but its full service offering has since resumed.

‘’We want to extend our appreciation to patrons and the public at large for their patience and continued support during this period. Bellville Library is one of our flagship facilities, and the City has to ensure compliance with Health and Safety standards. The contractors will remain on site for a while still, but conditions have improved to the point that we can throw open the doors to the public at large, and resume business as usual,’’ said Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.

 ‘’I do want to take this opportunity to encourage the public to help us protect this, and other community facilities. We cannot afford more damage to our HVAC system, so if you see anything  suspicious, please do report it immediately, either to the South African Police Service or the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700,’’ she added

Bellville Library is open to the public:

·        09:00 – 18:00 on Monday to Thursday

·        09:00 – 17:00 on Fridays

·        09:00 – 13:00 on Saturdays

 

Done By: Mitchum George

 

More than 13k library items returned to Cape Town libraries during ‘fine free week’

More than 13 000 library items returned to the City of Cape Town libraries during the municipality’s ‘fine free week’. Fine Free Week is an amnesty period where patrons can return overdue items without paying the accrued penalties. According to the City, just over 40 000 items, valued at over R4,6 million, were overdue. 13 178 items returned valued at just over R1,6 million.

Amongst the items that found their way back to the shelves at the Central Library, was French Cinema by Roy Armes, which covers the history of the French film industry, and was originally due for return on 8 March 2001.

SUPPLIED: Central Library Assistant Librarian, Nicole Smith, with the book

In a statement, the City said the person who borrowed the book moved extensively both locally and internationally, and discovered the book while sorting through stored belongings and decided to return it during the library’s fine free week.

‘’The book is no longer listed on the current library system, so there is no record of it, except the date sheet in the book. This is a historic return as its arguably one of the oldest books to find its way back during Fine Free Week. It’s not lost on us that the book itself is historical in nature. While it is still usable, restoration is not an option, but the patron has offered to buy the book, should it not be returning to the library’s shelves,’’ said Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.

‘’We are grateful to everyone who took advantage of the amnesty period to return library material - thank you for heeding the call. I want to encourage our patrons to please return anything that is still past the due date. The fines for overdue material are modest compared to the replacement cost, so please do the right thing. Fully stocked libraries benefit everyone,’’ she added.

Higham said a number of wayward Wimpy Kids too found their way home. The series, by author Jeff Kinney, dominates the list of outstanding items each year.

‘’The Library service will host a few more Fine Free Weeks throughout the year, which will hopefully yield some more overdue returns. For now, we shift our focus to the upcoming school holidays. Libraries will offer a range of activities to keep young minds engaged and entertained. Please reach out to your local facility for programme details,’’ said Higham.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Housing group welcomes Mowbray Golf Course Redevelopment

Housing activist group, Ndifuna Ukwazi, has welcomed the City of Cape Town’s plan to redevelop Mowbray Golf Course with 30% affordable housing but warns that without clear affordability measures, long-term protections, and racial redress, the project risks becoming mere ‘affordable housing tokenism.’

The portions of Mowbray Golf Course will be used among others for affordable housing. The City said the golf course offers access to employment hubs, amenities and residential areas.

‘’For 113 years, Mowbray Golf Course has symbolised exclusion, leased at a nominal rate while serving as a green buffer that reinforced apartheid-era spatial divisions. The City’s proposal for a mixed-use development is a step forward, but the 30% affordable housing allocation remains unclear and inadequate. To truly serve Cape Town’s most vulnerable residents, the project must center equity and redress,’’ said Jonty Cogger, Attorney at Ndifuna Ukwazi.

‘’With over 58% of Cape Town households earning less than R10,000 per month, long-term sustainability measures are essential to prevent displacement and uphold the Constitutional right to housing. Instead of selling the land, the City should explore alternatives like 99-year leases and community land trusts to ensure affordability while maintaining public ownership. Transparency throughout the process is critical to achieving these goals.’’

‘’Housing policies must also include explicit racial redress. Race-neutral approaches fail marginalised communities and risk deepening apartheid-era inequalities. This is a historic opportunity for Cape Town to break with its exclusionary past, but without bold commitments, this could become another missed opportunity,’’ he added

 

Done By: Elona Sibunzi

 

Man fatally shot in Mitchell’s Plain

A man was shot and killed in Mitchell’s Plain on Wednesday night. Police confirmed that they are investigating the matter which occurred in Portland.

COURTESY: Facebook

‘’The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation. Mitchells Plain police responded to a complaint on Wednesday 02 April 2025. Upon arrival at the crime scene in Eisleben Road at about 22:30 they found the body of an un identified man who sustained gunshot wounds. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel,’’ said Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, Western Cape police spokesperson.

No arrests have been made and the motive for this attack are unknown. Mitchells Plain police confirmed that they are investigating a murder.

Residents however believe that the incident could be gang-related, identifying the deceased as ‘’Kylie’’ who reportedly belong to the Hard Livings gang.

Anyone with information is requested to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111

 

Done By: Mitchum George

ANCWL wants GBVF to be declared a national disaster

The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) marched to Parliament on Wednesday to end the abuse against women and children in the country. A day prior, thousands of students and people marched through the streets of Cape Town demanding justice for CweCwe, the 7 year old girl who was reportedly raped at Bergview College, whilst awaiting transportation.

The ANCWL came in masses and demanded justice, not just for CweCwe, but the millions of women and children around the world. Deputy secretary of the ANCWL in the Western Cape, Connie Croats, led the march. A number of the women in the crowd were not only standing up for themselves, but for those who are victims and face abuse on a daily basis. 

The ANCWL marched through the streets at 12:00PM, with flags, banners, placards with their black, yellow and green attire.Regional Director of the ANCWL Sindiswa Masunpa said “This march is not about achievement, but fighting for the rights of the victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV)”.

The Women’s League requests the GNU to declare GBV as a national disaster just as Covid-19 was. Police blocked protestors from entering Parliament premises and were restricted from marching further.

The ANC's Women's League are marching to Parliament, this afternoon, calling for the Government of National Unity to declare #GBVF a "national disaster"@Bushradio pic.twitter.com/KdZgQpCwE3

— Bushradionews (@Bushradionews) April 2, 2025

At 14:00, a memorandum was handed over to government to review and according to the Regional Chair of the women’s league Zelda Transtraal government has 7 days to review the memorandum.

This is the second memorandum the ANCWL handed over to Government. The first one was handed over on November 29^th 2024 and reportedly have not received feedback. A number of members expressed disappointment in the government to protect women and children in the country. The ANCWL hopes that government gets the message that they refuse to be silent.

The memorandum was signed and will be reviewed in the next 7 days. 

Done by Shaneca Cupido

Drunk officer out on bail after he drove into a bus in Mitchell's Plain

A police sergeant was released on R1 000 bail after he drove into a bus in Mitchell’s Plain on Monday morning.

SCREENSHOT

Western Cape police confirmed that the 48-year-old stationed at Lentegeur SAPS was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Police are probing a case of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless and negligent driving

‘’Lentegeur police registered a case of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless and negligent driving following an accident on 2025-03-31 at 08:20 on the corner of of Eisleben Road and Lavender Street, Lentegeur,’’ said Captain F.C Van Wyk, Western Cape police spokesperson.

‘’According to reports, the sergeant was driving a silver in color, Mercedes Benz, and collided with a Golden Arrow bus at the mentioned address. He was arrested and escorted to the Shadow centre in Athlone, where his blood was collected from a registered and appointed nurse for analysis. His vehicle was badly damages on the front and was towed away by tow truck from the scene,’’ he added.

Van Wyk said the sergeant was detained at Lentegeur SAPS, and appeared in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates court on Tuesday.

In a video gone viral, it can be seen that the sergeant is being held by a Law Enforcement officer on one hand and a police officer on another and taken back to the scene after reportedly running away

Onlookers can be heard saying that the officers pants is being worn back to front

Public Relations Manager for Golden Arrow Bus Services Bronwen Dyke-Beyer confirmed the incident

“According to our bus driver and witnesses on the scene the third-party driver swerved into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with our bus. The third-party driver is allegedly a police officer who was off duty, but we are unable to confirm what caused him to swerve into the bus. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.”

 

Done by: Mitchum George

Televangelist Timopthy Omotoso found not guilty of multiple charges.

Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotso has been found not guilty of the charges preferred against him in the Gqeberha High Court.

The 66-year-old was arrested in 2017. He and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, and Zikiswa Sitho, faced 32 counts of charges which included racketeering, trafficking in persons, rape, and sexual assault.

At the last court appearance the National Prosecuting Authority said the judgement will mark a remarkable milestone the case that has been marred by delays for almost eight years since the arrest of the trio.

It is understood that Omotoso was the leader of the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church and his co-accused were his assistants.

The case has been ongoing for eight years.

JDI had major branches in South Africa, Nigeria, and Israel, with Durban being its headquarters in the country.

 

Doner By: Elona Sibunzi 

Thousands march to WCED calling for Justice for CweCwe

Thousands of protestors in Cape Town joined a nationwide march calling for Justice for CweCwe. The learner from Bergview College in the Eastern Cape, was reportedly raped, in October 2024, with three individuals, including the school principal, identified as suspects.

Demonstrators handed over a memorandum to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).

MEC David Maynier, who accepted the memorandum, said he will refer it to the relevant national departments for action.

‘’We are deeply disturbed by the incident that has been reported from the Eastern Cape. We are aware that the Eastern Cape Department of Education, as well as SAPS, are investigating the incident.  We urge them to ensure that the perpetrator is found and faces the full might of the law. Our children must be able to learn in a safe environment when at school. ‘’

PHOTO: Shaneca Cupido

‘’While this incident has occurred in another province, I urge anyone who becomes aware of an incident of abuse or assault in a Western Cape school to report this immediately to SAPS and to our Safe Schools hotline on 0800 45 46 47 toll free for assistance,’’ added Maynier.

With the aim of ensuring safety during the protest, SAPS are guiding protesters throughout the #JusticeForCwecwe march.
Protesters are making their way to the WCED.@Bushradio pic.twitter.com/kSCu658pMM

— Bushradionews (@Bushradionews) April 1, 2025

Speaking on Bush Radio’s Everyday People programme on Tuesday, Thobeka Msengana, MD of The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation, called for justice to be served

‘’The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation (UMF) is deeply saddened and outraged by the heinous crime committed against an innocent child… No child should ever have to endure such unimaginable trauma, and no family should be left in the dark, fighting for justice alone.’’

‘’It is unacceptable that, nearly six months after this horrific incident, no one has been held accountable. Justice delayed is justice denied. We call on law enforcement authorities to act with urgency and diligence in ensuring that the perpetrator is identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is appalling that a case of this gravity has not yet resulted in an arrest despite clear leads and critical evidence being available. We demand answers, and more importantly, we demand justice for Cwecwe,’’ she added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Two children have died in a fire that broke out in Kalksteenfontein

Two children have died in a fire that broke out in Kalksteenfontein, on Monday evening

The City’s Fire & Rescue Service said the bodies of the minors were discovered beneath the debris in the residence in Soetkop Street.

‘’The City’s Fire & Rescue Service was alerted at around 19:10 of a dwelling alight in Soetkop Street. Crews from Epping and Bellville were dispatched to the scene and found two informal structures alight. By 20:30, firefighters managed to extinguish the fire that destroyed two informal structures and partially damaged two formal dwellings, said Jermaine Carelse, Spokesperson for the City’s Fire & Rescue Service.

‘’The bodies of two minors, aged 4 and 5, were discovered beneath the debris and were certified by medical personnel. The scene was handed over to the South African Police Service to investigate the circumstances around the incident,’’ he added.

Western Cape police confirmed that they are probing the matter.

‘’ Bishop Lavis police registered an inquest for investigation following a fire which broke out at a premises in Soetkop Street, Kalksteenfontein on Monday evening, 31 March 2025, in which two children aged four and seven years old were burnt to death. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and the cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111,’’ said Sergeant Wesley Twigg, Western Cape police spokesperson.

 

Done By: Mitchum George