Day: May 30, 2022

PARKTOWN – National Child Protection Week (29 May - 5 June) is commemorated annually to remind us that all children need to be protected against neglect, abuse, violence and exploitation. It is on this basis that the Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela welcomed the recent lengthy sentence handed down to a child rapist.

On Thursday, 26 May 2022 the Palm Ridge High Court sentenced a 43-year-old accused to two life terms and an additional thirteen years’ imprisonment for the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl child. The accused was also found guilty for defeating the ends of justice and attempted murder.

The six-year-old child was playing with friends near her grandmother’s home in Sebokeng on Saturday, 31 July 2021 when the suspect lured her to his rented backroom which is not far from the victim's home. The grandmother went looking for her granddaughter when she did not return home after playing at the neighbour's house. Witnesses indicated that they heard the child crying inside the suspect’s room and the grandmother confronted him. The suspect subsequently felt "cornered" and stabbed the grandmother before he fled with a black refuse bag containing a heavy substance.

The police immediately launched a search to locate the missing child and suspect. Within 24-hours the police found the child’s body buried in a mine hole near her grandmother’s home, the suspect was traced and arrested a few days later.

The case was assigned to Captain Makonyane Piet Motsoeneng, a detective based at Sebokeng Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit. Motsoeneng meticulously pieced all the evidence together which resulted in a water-tight case against the accused in court.

Lt Gen Mawela commended the officer for leading quality investigation and the swift finalisation of the case. "This case was resolved and finalised within months, a clear indication that members of the South African Police Service remain committed in fighting crime against women, children and vulnerable persons," said Lt Gen Mawela.

Source: South African Police Service

The City of Cape Town is making good progress with the construction of the new public transport interchange (PTI) in Somerset West. The City is spending approximately R65 million on this project, the biggest investment in the central business district of Somerset West in recent years.

The construction commenced about three months ago and once complete, the new facility will transform the CBD area with multiple benefits for commuters, pedestrians, public transport operators and traders.

‘Those who have been walking or driving around the vicinity of the new PTI would have noticed a beehive of activity. I am extremely satisfied with the progress on this construction site. The smoother the works go, the greater the chances of completing this project within the targets we have set ourselves. To date, the contractor has installed the underground services needed for the facility, such as a water main, and stormwater infrastructure. The foundations and concrete columns for the canopies or roofs are complete, and so is the foundation for the ablution facilities. Old buildings have been demolished as well to make way for the new PTI which will be located on two different sites in the Somerset West CBD, one behind the Town Hall and another on the Shoprite side. It is designed for minibus-taxi operators, bus services, informal traders, and thousands of commuters,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

Currently, layerworks are under way at Church Street, and next will be the installation of kerbs and channels.

‘I have been informed that about 15% of this project is complete. Given the magnitude of this project, it is important to continuously track our progress. The new PTI will comprise two sites abutting Church, Andries Pretorius and Victoria Streets. Together, it will be approximately 4 000m² in size to accommodate both minibus-taxi operators and the Golden Arrow Bus Service.

‘If all goes as planned, it will take about two years to complete. The construction is done in phases to limit the inconvenience, but unfortunately, during this time, there will be an impact on all of those frequenting the area, from commuters to public transport operators, the general public, pedestrians and the informal traders. I want to thank you all for your ongoing support, which is much needed to ensure there are no delays and that work can continue at pace,’ said Councillor Quintas.

An estimated 1 000 commuters and about 300 minibus-taxis will use the new PTI, serving 12 destinations: Lwandle, Macassar, Firgrove, Strand, Nomzamo, Sir Lowry’s Pass Town, Zola, Khayelitsha, Stellenbosch, Somerset West and surroundings, and Grabouw. The Golden Arrow Bus Service will also operate from the facility.

Captions: Work is well under way on the construction site where the City is investing about R65 million in a new public transport facility for commuters and minibus-taxi operators in the Somerset West central business district. About 15% of the work is complete, with the aim of finalising the project within two years.

Source: City Of Cape Town

The Odendaalsrus Regional Court sentenced Itumeleng Samuel Tolo (32) for raping a minor at K6 section of Kutloanong on Saturday, 11 September 2021 at about 19:00.

A 10-year-old girl was playing with her friends on the street when a man known to her as her neighbour, grabbed her and forcefully took her to the graveyard.

He strangled and slapped her and told her that he will kill her if she did not do as he said. He ultimately raped the child and left her at the scene.

The child walked home and reported to her parents who took her to the police station to register a case of rape. The case was assigned to Detective Sergeant Mabote Lebone of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).

Through the investigator's diligence and dedication, the accused was found guilty as charged and was sentenced to 30 years direct imprisonment.

Source: South African Police Service

The City’s Road Infrastructure Management Department will commence with the maintenance of footways in and around the Mitchells Plain Public Transport Interchange (PTI) on 6 June, if all goes as planned.

The area consists of about 2 300m² where the stolen and damaged brick paving will be reinstated with asphalt surfacing. The project should be complete by 24 June 2022, pending unforeseen delays and inclement weather.

The work will take place on weekdays from 07:30 to 17:00, and on weekends if needed.

The works entail:

• Removal of remaining sections of brick paving

• Removal of concrete brick paving and set aside for re-use

• Remove and spoil existing bedding sand

• Rip existing G5 subbase material

• Add additional G5 subbase as required and compact

• Prime and apply 30mm thick asphalt surfacing

• Road marking and painting of social distancing lines

Concrete brick paving was damaged or stolen at numerous locations around the Mitchells Plain PTI. This is now a tripping hazard for pedestrians in the area due to the uneven surfaces.

‘Theft of road infrastructure is becoming a huge headache for the city. Not only is it costly to replace, it puts commuters’ safety at risk and delays service delivery that is needed elsewhere. Every time we replace something that we already had, we are delaying another community project. This criminality must stop. I am asking residents to please report the theft of City infrastructure to the local police station and refrain from buying stolen goods,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

No road closures are anticipated with these works.

‘However, we want to appeal to motorists and residents to consider alternative routes to avoid delays or congestion. Also, please comply with the road signs and flag personnel’s instructions when moving around the construction site,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Source: City Of Cape Town

BURGERSDORP - The SAPS continues endeavours to prevent and detect stolen copper cables together with the positive partnership of the farming community yield the following success.

On 29 May 2022 a suspicious vehicle was tracked by the Agri security cameras on the Stormberg gravel road. WO Carstens of Burgersdorp SAPS was immediately notified and way lay duties commenced by him and WO Goosen.

At about 23:15 the vehicle was spotted driving towards Steynsburg. The members intercepted the vehicle at Henning crossing.

On further investigation 24 rolls of copper cable were found on the trailer and another 13 rolls of copper cable at the back of the bakkie under the canopy.

Two suspects a 38-year-old male and 22-year-old female were arrested and the copper cables with an estimated value of R250 000-00 were recovered. The investigation will be taken over by Queenstown Organised Crime Unit.

The acting District Commissioner Brig Rudolph Adolph commended the members for their swift reaction and he thanked the farming community for assisting the police and strengthening our hands in the fight against crime. This crime that has a devastating effect on our economy.

Source: South African Police Service

e-Services will be unavailable from 18:00 on Friday, 3 June until 07:00 on Monday, 6 June 2022 due to necessary maintenance.

The following e-Services will be affected:

• Careers

• Debt management collections

• Development management

• e-Billing

• E-Procurement

• Events permitting

• Facilities booking

• Informal Trading Bays (ITPS) - Informal Trading Permit Solution

• Online Valuation Objections

• Municipal accounts:

- Account statements

- Property Valuation Objections

- Smart meter

• Online rebates

• Rates clearance

• Vehicle licensing

• Work order management

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Source: City Of Cape Town

In addressing the market access as one of the fundamental hindrances to growing and transforming the business sector, the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism will be participating in the North West International Market Access on the 1st and 2nd of June 2022 at the Three Oaks and Aloe Boutique Hotel in Hartebeespoort.

The event is aimed at creating a platform for local businesses to look beyond the South-African Borders for new opportunities of Trade and Investment and to further bring together key role players in the international market.

The North-West International Market Access is a unique vehicle for driving development and empowering local businesses through information sharing and access to international opportunities.

Stakeholders and partners from government, the private sector, business and entrepreneurs will be joining forces to share information, galvanize political commitments, build trust, and expand the business reach of participating SMMEs.

In addition, exhibitions, networking sessions, showcasing of products and services will be attended by diplomatic representatives, business communities, national, local and provincial government.

Source: Government of South Africa