Duo arrested for counterfeit money in M/Plain

Two suspects, aged 26 and 34, will appear in the Mitchell’s Plain Court on Monday, after they were arrested over the weekend for being in possession of counterfeit money.

The police’s Wesley Twigg said officers received a tipoff about counterfeit money that is in circulation in the Mitchell’s Plain area and a premises was identified.

COURTESY: SAPS

‘’Upon searching the premises the members found a substantial amount of two hundred rand notes s well as 69 mandrax tablets at the address in Rocklands. Two suspects aged 26 and 34 were arrested and detained for the possession of mandrax and the possession of counterfeit money,’’ said Sergeant Wesley Twigg.

COURTESY: SAPS

Done by: Mitchum George

Man arrested for stolen church equipment in M/Plain

Metro Police Officers arrested a 33-year-old man in Lentegeur, Mitchell’s Plain, for being in possession of suspected stolen property on Tuesday.

Spokesperson, Ruth Solomons said officers were on their way to work at approximately 04:50, when they saw a suspicious man carrying two black cases.

‘’When the suspect was approached, he started running, but after a short chase, he was apprehended. The officers confiscated three cordless mics, three receivers, an Acer projector, three remote controls and a Lenovo laptop with all the cables.

PICTURE: Metro Police

‘’On further investigation, the officers learned that the suspect had stolen the equipment at a church and knew where the caretaker stayed. The caretaker confirmed that the equipment belong to the church,’’ she added.

Charges of burglary and theft will be opened by the caretaker.

 

By: Lizeka Tsotetsi

One killed and 4 injured in shooting incident in M/Plain

Mitchell’s Plain police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder after a 44-year-old man was shot and killed and four teenagers shot and wounded, in Eastridge, on Sunday.

The police’s Wesley Twigg said the man and the four teenagers between the ages of 12 and 16 were standing in Gazelle Street, when a car entered the road and two men got out and started shooting in the street.

‘’According to reports the victims were standing in the road when a red Polo entered the road and two unknown males got out and started shooting in the street. The 44 year old male was declared deceased on the scene by paramedics and the four victims were taken to a medical facility for treatment.’’

‘’The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. The motive for the shooting is gang related,’’ added Sergeant Wesley Twigg.

Anyone with any information about this shooting incident is requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Sub-Council 17 chairperson rejects relocation of those living on Langa train line to M/Plain

Sub-Council 17 Chairperson, Elton Jansen, says he doesn’t support the relocation of those living on the Central Line in Langa, to the Phillipi wedge.

Jansen made the remarks after Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, addressed leaders from informal settlements located on the railway reserve in Langa, Philippi and Khayelitsha, on Thursday. This was at an event to sign an agreement for their relocation, known as a “social compact.”

The Central Line was completely closed in October 2019. The line has since reopened, but currently runs between Pinelands to Bellville via Langa, Bontheuwel and Belhar.

It’s understood will be relocated to the Phillipi wedge, which is next to Siqalo informal settlement in Mitchell's Plain. Jansen described the relocation as a ‘’joke and completely ludicrous’’.

‘’The current informal settlement in the wedge, Siqalo, is next to the proposed site. This is going to put more strain on our electrical infrastructure as illegal electricity connections will increase, as is the current status quo. Crime will increase and poses a risk to the farming operation in the PHA as well as the Philippi Childrens Centre.’’

The Housing Development Agency submitted an Emergency Housing application on behalf of PRASA, but is awaiting the go-ahead from the City of Cape Town due processes.

‘’I want to assure the residents that Sub-Council 17 will NOT support this application and will strongly argue against it. PRASA's plan to dump people in an area with no amenities, no sufficient schools, no basic services or bulk infrastructure, is a sign that they do not care about these people at all.  This will be another dumping of people in no man's land, which will have a negative impact on the host community as well as the people of Langa,’’ said Elton-Enrique Jansen, Sub-Council 17 Chairperson and Ward 43 Councillor.

According to Jansen, the relocation will cause harm for Mitchell's Plain residents

‘’I want to state for the record that we all support the reopening of the Central Line.  We need our trains to run on time and efficiently again BUT I DO NOT SUPPORT the relocation to the Philippi Wedge. The residents of Mitchell’s Plain and the Philippi Horticultural Area CANNOT pay the price for PRASA's failure to protect their own properties which led to the illegal occupation of the Central Line which grew into an informal settlement.  We also cannot reward unlawful occupation.’’

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Teenagers faces criminal charges after 7 dogs rescued in M/Plain following tip-off of dogfighting

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA and the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement: Animal Control Unit rescued 7 dogs from dog fighting in Mitchell's Plain on Friday.

PICTURE: Cape of Good Hope SPCA

The team received a tip-off about The dogfighting that took place behind the Swartklip Indoor Sports Centre in Tafelsig. The culprits, all teenagers between 15 and 17, are now facing charges of dogfighting, under the Animals Protection Act.

In a joint statement, it was revealed that all of the dogs were still young and in the process of being trained for fighting.

PICTURE: Cape of Good Hope SPCA

“Dogfighting cases always make my heart drop into my stomach. I cannot understand how any person can find pleasure in watching dogs rip each other apart. What is even scarier, these were minors! What is happening to our society?” said Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.

 Dogfighting is illegal in South Africa. A person found guilty for any involvement in dogfighting is liable for a fine of R80,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 24 months with a criminal record. It is a crime to be involved in any way with the fighting of animals or to own, keep, train or breed animals used for fighting. It is also illegal to buy, sell or import these animals.

“Moreover, it is a criminal offence to incite, encourage or allow any animal to attack another animal or proceed to fight. It is a crime to promote animal fighting for monetary gain or entertainment,” read the statement.

“It is also considered a crime to allow any of these activities to take place on a property you own, live on or have control of.”

According to the City, it is a crime to watch dogfighting as is being on the same property where dogfighting is taking place.

The City's Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith has condemned the incident.

“Dogfighting is not a sport or entertainment. It’s cruel, illegal and those who participate are lacking in basic humanity. The law should punish those who inflict cruelty on any human or animal knowingly and willfully with the maximum penalty.”

Done By: Mitchum George

City contractors held at gunpoint and robbed of two generators in M/Plain

The City of Cape Town’s contractor’s staff were held at gunpoint and robbed of two generators in Mitchell’s Plain on Wednesday.

The team were working on the Highlands Drive bridge, repairing footways that were damaged as a result of cable theft, making the footways uneven and unsafe to walk on.  This incident happened just three days into the project.

Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas said no one was physically hurt, further condemning the incident.

“The ripple effect of this incident is huge- the contractor cannot operate without the generators, staff fear for their lives and need counselling which could result in the project being delayed.”

“This type of attack on City staff or contractors has become far too commonplace, and it has to stop, not only in the interest of the safety of the employees, but also in the interest of service delivery to our most vulnerable communities,” he added.

Quintas appealed to residents to come forward with any information relating to the incident.

“I call on residents to please share any information that could lead to the recovery of the stolen goods and finding those responsible at their nearest police station or subcouncil office. I also want to appeal to the residents to please work with us as they are the ultimate beneficiaries of this project.”

“I warn those that are hell-bent on undermining our efforts to bring services to our vulnerable residents, that we will do everything in our power to end this criminality,” added Quintas.

 

Done By: Mitchum George