Day: May 16, 2022

The City of Cape Town’s Urban Waste Management’s operations city-wide continue to be boosted by the delivery of new vehicles.

Recently 10 new vehicles were delivered that will contribute to addressing delays in the collection and clearing of waste around the City. This is in addition to the two new vehicles that were received in March.

The latest vehicle delivery includes six paddle compactors for the emptying of 240l wheelie bins as well as four tipper trucks for the use of City Cleansing. These vehicles come at a cost of approximately R25,5 million.

Trucks are equipped with the latest technology, and operators will be subjected to training before the new vehicles enter service.

City efforts to resolve collection delays are seeing promising results. Availability of refuse compactor vehicles has improved from an average of 77% in March to 81% in April. It is hoped that new vehicles will further boost these numbers.

‘Every effort is being made to take care of our existing fleet, while we bolster the service with these new additions. Urban Waste Management vehicles follow an intensive servicing programme due to the high demand on the service. New checks and balances around vehicle repairs are in place and this adds to the downtime to vehicles in for repairs.

‘As we improve our refuse collections we appeal to residents to work with us to keep Cape Town clean by not dumping and reporting illegal dumping, ’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.

The following tips can help you prevent your bin from overflowing:

• Residents are encouraged to take their clean, dry recyclables to one of the City’s drop-off facilities. Alternatively, residents can make use of an accredited recycling collection company. Recycling eases pressure on collections services, in our landfills and on the environment. Recyclables are also typically bulkier than other household waste types, causing bins to fill up far more quickly than if they are separated.
• Where possible, residents are encouraged to practice home composting, as this will allow for further space in the bin.

 

 

Source: City Of Cape Town

KWAZULU-NATAL – On Sunday 15 May 2022, Hawks members from Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation arrested a 35-year-old suspect for dealing in drugs at Umhlanga in Durban.

Members received information about a suspect who was dealing in drugs at his residence. Necessary arrangements were made and members proceeded to the said place. A search was conducted and heroin powder to an estimated street value of approximately R40 000.00 was found. Weighing equipment, 100 000 empty capsules and R5 250.00 suspected to be a proceeds of crime were seized.

He was placed under arrest and charged for dealing in drugs.  He is expected to appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court today.

 

 

Source: South African Police Service

GAUTENG – Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, the Hawks’ Provincial Head commended without reservation, efforts and dedication displayed by the investigation team as well as the justice system for successfully removing perpetrators from the streets on illegal mining criminality.

This was evident on Tuesday, 10 May 2022 when the Gauteng North High Court in Pretoria effectively convicted the accused charged with murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of illegal and unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and transportation of unwrought precious metal. Subsequent to the accused’s conviction, the court sentenced the nine men to effective 10 years direct imprisonment on 12 May 2022.

In July 2016, the National Intervention Unit followed up on intelligence received related to suspicious illegal mining activities in the Benoni area, east of Johannesburg.

Authorities conducted a sting operation on the same day at Kingsway in the Benoni precinct, where they successfully intercepted a positively identified Toyota Quantum with twelve occupants. Police were shot at while approaching the suspicious vehicle, where one of the police officials, Constable Khumo Kingsley Tsineng was wounded.

Witnessing one of their unit members on the ground, police returned fire and as a result, one of the accused, Mboneleni Manqele who was 38 years old at the time, was fatally wounded with two others injured.

The unit effectively apprehended nine accused, Siphamandla Victor Xulu (39), Mehluleli Ndlovu (39), Phikwankosi Mbongiseni Shezi (37), Bhekani Bangelakhe Sithole (53), Zakhele Mdletshe (47), Philani Bhekimpilo Mdlolo (39), Kwenzokwakhe Mnchunu (34), Bonginkosi Mfaniseni Msweli (35), and Bonabenza Andile Mdletshe (26). Upon searching the accused’s vehicle, authorities found five illegal and unlicensed semi-automatic pistols, ammunition, and unwrought precious metal. Authorities collected substantial evidence against the perpetrators to assist with extensive investigation.

The case was transferred to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Investigation in Germiston for further probing. The two accused, Zamokwakhe Petros Buthelezi (35) and Thokozani Zaphina Gumede (33) who were taken to hospital for medical treatment, later succumbed to gunshot wounds. Meanwhile, Constable Tsineng aged 31 at the time, passed away three months later in hospital.

The High Court found the accused guilty on all counts including killing the on-duty police official. The accused were successfully sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for counts of murder and wholly suspended for 10 years on condition that they are not found guilty of the same offense or use of firearm; sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for attempted murder; sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possession of illegal semi-automatic pistols; sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possession for unlicensed firearms; 10 years imprisonment for possession of ammunition; and five years imprisonment for illegal transportation of unwrought precious metal. The accused are to serve all sentences concurrently with the counts of murders.

“The accused’s sentence may seem minimum but we are pleased that their stay in prison will not be a smooth ride. The public need to understand the impact and dangers caused by illegal mining trade in the country. We urge communities to report any suspicious illegal mining activities to authorities for further investigation and bring criminals to book,” added Major General Kadwa.

 

 

 

Source: South African Police Service

GAUTENG – A 54-year-old man appeared in the Alexandra Regional Court today charged with fraud and extortion involving online dating scam allegations.

The accused’s apprehension was effected on Saturday, 14 May 2022 by the Hawks after he was positively identified as a wanted suspect by authorities at OR Tambo International Airport departing to Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for leisure.

It was reported that in March 2020, Chinedu Jonathan Madueke introduced himself to the complainant on an online dating site as a female model from Italy named “Ruth”.

The two seemingly hit it off and started dating which resulted in an exchange of nude videos.

A few months later, the complainant alleged that Madueke demanded an enticement of approximately USD 500 000 from him to avoid his nude video from being leaked on social media.

The matter was reported to the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Johannesburg for investigation. A warrant of arrest was issued for Madueke’s apprehension and authorities circulated him on the local and international boarder movement control system.

Madueke’s attempt to flee the country failed on Saturday subsequent to the system that alerted authorities of his outstanding warrant of arrest. He was immediately detained to account for the alleged online dating scam which happened about two years ago.

During his first court appearance, he was remanded in custody pending investigation. The case was postponed to Monday, 23 May 2022 for verification of his legal status in the country.

 

 

 

Source: South African Police Service

PARKTOWN – Addressing the proliferation of essential infrastructure related crime remains a top priority for the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng. It is on this basis that the Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has welcomed the recent successes achieved by members across the province.

On Monday, 16 May 2022 members of SAPS Cullinan together with Task Team members arrested five men in Elandshoek for tampering with essential infrastructure.

The team reportedly operationalised information and proceeded to an identified address in Elandshoek where they found five man digging copper cables next to a railway line and were subsequently arrested.

In another incident, a multi-disciplinary team comprising of members from Organised Crime Investigations; Firearm, Liquor and Secondhand Goods (FLASH), Johannesburg East Crime Intelligence and other stakeholders conducted an intelligence-driven takedown operation.

Information led the team to an address in Orange Grove whereby a search resulted in the recovery of copper cables and weighing scales.

A female suspect was arrested for possession of essential infrastructure.

Meanwhile, on 16 May 2022, the Sedibeng Infrastructure Task Team arrested 11 suspects after they followed up on information about a truck at a certain plot in Kliprivier offloading stolen tyres.

On arrival at the plot, police recovered a hijacked truck with 192 stolen tyres as per Brighton Beach case, two trailers and a forklift as per a Lyttelton case, 30 metres of copper cable one roll of cable identified as property of Johannesburg Municipality and one 9mm Norinco firearm.

All arrested suspects are expected to face multiple charges which include theft, tampering with essential infrastructure as well as contravention of the Secondhand Goods Act.

“Theft of cable and destroying of essential infrastructure is not only a crime but also brings a disrepute to the economy of the Province. As the SAPS in Gauteng, we are committed and stand resolute to fight against infrastructure related crimes; hence there is a Multi-disciplinary Essential Infrastructure Task Team that is established in  five districts to pull all available resources together  to combat this crime, said Lt Gen Mawela.

 

 

 

Source: South African Police Service

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured flood affected residents of KwaZulu-Natal, the North West and Eastern Cape that government and stakeholders are drawing all resources to ensure that the three provinces recover with no person left behind.

The flooding caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure and claimed the lives of at least 435 people in KwaZulu-Natal alone.

The President visited KZN for a second time over the weekend and said any concerns regarding the government’s ability to rebuild and recover are misplaced.

“The National Disaster Management Centre has been coordinating all spheres of government in their efforts to provide humanitarian relief to the many households that have been affected. It has been pleasing to see the NGO community, business and relief organisations joining in working with government to provide much-needed relief assistance.

“All these stakeholders have provided food, clothes, blankets, dignity packs and school uniforms to vulnerable families to meet their basic needs. Sheltering services are currently being provided to over 7 000 people in the four most affected districts in KwaZulu-Natal. Work has started to build temporary residences for affected families on state-owned land parcels identified in KwaZulu-Natal for possible resettlement,” he said in his weekly newsletter on Monday.

According to the President, work is also ongoing to fix damage to infrastructure and where not possible, alternative plans are being made.

“Mobile classrooms are being procured so that learning and teaching should not be interrupted for longer than necessary in flood-affected schools. Work is underway to repair damaged waste water treatment works, pump-stations and reticulation. Damaged roads are being repaired. Eighteen new bridges are planned as part of the Welisizwe Rural Bridges programme.

“There has also been considerable progress in fixing key infrastructure supporting the Port of Durban. Given the importance of the port to the national and continental economy, port traffic has been restored, terminal operations are back at full capacity and work to repair damaged rail infrastructure is underway.”

The President added that in an effort to ensure affected business can continue to operate and to save jobs, big and small businesses will receive support from government.

Rebuilding

President Ramaphosa praised the resilience of the communities that have been mostly affected by the devastating floods. He also hailed the collaborative work that provinces and municipalities carried out  to ensure that mop up operations can commence swiftly.

“Municipal and provincial governments have been working closely with national departments and agencies to enable people to rebuild their lives and to get local economic activity back on track.

“They have been working with all stakeholders in all of these areas to ensure that we effectively coordinate recovery efforts and that we plan and rebuild in a manner that is more resilient to extreme events of this nature in the future.

“The perseverance of affected communities, their determination to succeed and their ability to rally together in times of crisis has been an inspiration. We salute all those who have been part of the effort to help the people of the affected provinces,” President Ramaphosa said.

 

 

Source: South African Government News Agency

DURBAN – Durban Central Members followed an information after receiving a robbery incident and arrested two suspects aged 31 and 32 for possession of suspected stolen property. The suspects are expected to appear at Durban Magistrate’s Court soon.

On Monday, 16 May 2022 approximately 13:30, a complainant was seated inside her motor vehicle along Warwick Avenue in Durban.  Two suspects approached her, threatened her with knife and attempted to hijack her vehicle.

It was alleged that the complainant panicked, screamed and threw her vehicle keys away.  The two suspects took away her iPhone and drove away with their vehicle.

At around 14:00, field unit members were following information of the robbery incident when they spotted a suspicious vehicle and pulled out on the side.

Upon searching the vehicle, they had discovered the iPhone that fitted description of the one that was robbed. Durban Central Members also discovered knife from the suspects

The members located the complainant, who positively identified the suspects as the one who robbed the victim. The complainant also identified the recovered cellphone as belonging to her.

The vehicle that was used by the suspects, was also seized and taken to police pound.

The suspects were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property, possession of dangerous weapon.

The suspects will also be linked to aggravated robbery and attempted carjacking.

The suspects are detained at Durban Central SAPS.

 

 

Source: South African Police Service