Day: June 29, 2022

DURBAN – Yesterday in the early hours of the morning, police conducted a multi-disciplinary operation at Macambini Reserve in Nyoni. They received intelligence regarding a traditional leader who was in unlawful possession of firearms.

A search warrant was obtained and police proceeded to Macambini Reserve where the suspect resided. During a search of the house police found two rifles, two pistols, a pellet gun and one hundred and 89 rounds of ammunition. The 37-year-old suspect was arrested for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition as well as for failing to safeguard firearms. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is linked to two cases of attempted murder that were reported at Nyoni SAPS between February and March 2021.

The suspect appeared before the Nyoni Magistrate’s Court on 28 June 2022 for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. Bail was granted and he will appear before court on 30 August 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

The Culemborg Safe Space was trialed in 2018 as a pilot project that has since served as a blueprint for the creation of two more City-run Safe Spaces.

The City marks the fourth anniversary of the Culemborg 1 Safe Space today.

The overnight facility was opened on the Foreshore on 29 June 2018, to offer a transitional space for persons wanting to get off the street.

‘The Safe Space has always been about offering care to those in need. We’re expanding these Safe Spaces beyond the CBD and Bellville too, so that more residents have a warm, dry space to rest, receive meals and be connected to City services such as employment opportunities, rehabilitation and reintegration with their families. With the lifting of the remaining Covid-19 restrictions, we can now operate our Safe Spaces at full capacity. We are also adding 150 beds at the neighbouring Safe Space 2 in line with the expansion of our care programme, and demonstrate our commitment to the dignity and well-being of all our residents,’ said Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis.

The Safe Space can accommodate 230 people at a time, and offers ablution facilities, secure storage for personal belongings and access to developmental and other rehabilitation programmes.

‘It has not been an easy journey, and there are still many challenges, but I think it is also important to recognise the good work that has been done at this and our other Safe Spaces. The City had no blueprint when it opened the facility, and just as we were finding our feet, a global pandemic hit. Yet here we are, four years later, still assisting clients who want to move off the streets, learning as we go along and working very hard to further replicate the Safe Space model in other parts of Cape Town, so that we can assist even more people,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

In spite of this, in the last 12 months, the facility has assisted a total of 450 clients, including:

• 42 clients reunified with their families

• 45 clients coached and supported into the next phase of their reintegration

• 32 permanent employment opportunities

• 56 short-term work opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)

• 87 clients who attended the substance abuse treatment programme at the City’s Matrix® sites

• One client who attended a six-week substance abuse programme at the Saltun Bauer Centre

• SASSA grants for 27 clients

• 62 individuals assisted with Identity Documents

• 1 074 training and development programme opportunities on site

Source: City Of Cape Town

NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has appreciated the collaborative effort by police at Witbank and CSC Tactical Security Company. This comes after they arrested a 55-year-old man for alleged possession of illegal explosives in the early hours of this morning.

According to the police report, guards from CSC Tactical Security Company were on duty monitoring CCTV footage at Marelden Estate, when they noticed a group of suspects in balaclavas, believed to be armed, passing the premises. They then called the police for backup.

When the suspects noticed the security guards they ran into the bushes. It is further reported that a shootout ensued. They (guards) managed to apprehend one suspect who was found with a bag full of explosives while the others managed to flee. He was then arrested and charged for possession of explosives and police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against him as the investigation continues.

The suspect will appear at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 30 June 2022.

Police request anyone with information that will help locate the remaining suspects to contact Colonel One Thobejane on 082 372 2195 or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MySAPS App. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

The Provincial Commissioner, has commended the collaborative efforts by the members of the Security Cluster which yielded positive results.

Source: South African Police Service

The City’s transversal Disaster Operations Centre is active again from 16:00 until 22:00 to ensure an integrated approach and response to the potential impact from Eskom’s Stage 6 load-shedding. City-supplied customers currently remain on Stage 4.

‘The timing of the higher stages of load-shedding affects not only the peak-hour traffic, but also increases the risk to public safety as more areas are experiencing outages simultaneously, and for prolonged periods in suburbs experiencing Stage 6 load-shedding. By activating our DOC during this time, we are able to ensure integration between enforcement and emergency services, but also other relevant City departments. The objective is to relieve any pressure points that may arise from load-shedding and to increase visibility in affected areas, in the interest of public safety and protecting critical infrastructure, among others,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The City’s Traffic Service has identified 108 priority intersections that require point-duty during periods of load-shedding.

The DOC coordinates the dispatching of enforcement staff to affected intersections and other pressure points for the duration of an outage in a particular area.

From there, they are redirected to the next affected area until the end of peak-hour traffic.

Other public safety risks associated with load-shedding at night are:

• Increased risk of fire due to the risk of alternative methods of lighting and cooking

• The possibility of smash-and-grab and hijacking incidents

• Pedestrian safety

• Vandalism and theft/damage to critical infrastructure

The City reminds the public of the following safety tips during periods of load-shedding:

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Backup batteries for electrically operated gates, garage doors and security systems should be kept in good working condition and be able to last through periods of load-shedding. Store temporary lighting, such as battery-powered torches, gas lamps and candles in places where they will be easy to find in the dark.

TRANSPORT: Make sure that your vehicle always has fuel in the tank as most petrol stations are unable to pump fuel during power outages. Traffic lights that are out and unmanned, should be treated as four-way stops at intersections.

COMMUNICATION: Ensure that your cell phone, laptop, tablet and radio are always fully charged when power is available. This will allow you to be able to communicate with friends and family during load-shedding.

MEDICATION requiring refrigeration can be kept in a closed fridge for several hours without spoiling, but you should check with your doctor or pharmacist if in doubt.

SUSTENANCE: If you do not have a gas stove, prepare meals before the power is scheduled to be switched off. Boil water in your kettle and keep it in thermos flasks for hot drinks. You can also use an insulating cover on teapots, pots and pans to keep drinks and meals warm. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. A power outage that lasts for four hours or less should not cause food to spoil. A freezer should keep frozen food safe for at least a day. Fill plastic containers with water and store them in a deep freeze or freezer compartment of your fridge. Leave some space in each container for the frozen water to expand and use the frozen water to keep food cold.

NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSISTANCE: Your local neighbourhood watch will assist vulnerable people like the elderly and people living with disabilities.

WATER AND SANITATION: For any water and sanitation emergencies residents are kindly requested to report these issues via the City’s official contact details soonest. The sooner we are made aware of it, the sooner we can schedule our operational response to resolve the issues within a reasonable timeframe, given the current power situation.

The Disaster Operations Centre is in constant contact with Eskom and other external role-players, to assist with planning and mobilise teams to assist where needed.

Source: City Of Cape Town

KwaZulu-Natal’s main water supply system remains at full capacity

The Umgeni Water Supply System which provides water to five dams in KwaZulu-Natal, including the province’s largest dam, Albert-Falls Dam, remains at full capacity for two consecutive weeks recording 100.3%. The system improved from 83.2% which was recorded during a similar period last year.

Albert-Falls Dam, which supplies water to the eThekwini Metro and surrounding areas is above average at 99.5%, a decline from last week’s 99.8%. Midmar Dam on the Mgeni River has marginally declined from 100.0% to 99.6% while Nagle Dam remains unchanged at 100.5%.

Driel Barrage Dam on the Tugela River has decreased from 108.4% to 92.8%, while Woodstock, Craigie Burn, Spring Grove and Ntshingwayo Dams are unmoved from last week’s 101.1%, 100.5% and 78.8% respectively.

Meanwhile, Hazelmere Dam which provides water to KZN’s North Coast is also unchanged at 52.9%.

Despite the considerably good standing of dam levels in most parts of the province, the Department acknowledges that there are communities which are still affected by water scarcity challenges. It is for this reason that wheels are set in motion to fast-track the implementation of the Lower Umkhomazi water project which will add 100 mega litres of water per day to cater for residents of Ugu District Municipality.

The Department further supports and continues to work with the provincial government, several organs of the state and organisations to ensure that residents still facing water challenges as a result of the recent floods are provided with alternative water sources.

In this regard, 50 water tankers have been procured to augment water supply in areas with water challenges while the eThekwini Metro ensures that trucks are filled with water on regular basis and supplied to affected communities.

Residents are called on to use water sparingly, refrain from vandalizing water infrastructure, fix and report water leaks to local authorities while the Department continues to work collaboratively with the provincial and local government to ensure water security in the province.

Source: Government of South Africa

NORTHERN CAPE – The Hawk’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in Upington served four suspects, aged between 35 and 65 years with summons to appear in court. The suspects were served with notices in three different locations simultaneously on Tuesday, 28 June 2022.

The suspects are accused of contravention of Second Hand Goods Act.

A project driven investigation was launched in September 2019, with a specific focus on illegal buying and distribution of non-ferrous metals. Non-ferrous metal theft has been declared a national priority offence in South Africa, which results in loss of substantial amounts of money by the Government, state entities and the private sector. Theft of non-ferrous metals also cripple the essential services due to damage to essential infrastructure in the country.

Four companies which are metal dealers were identified and monitored overtime. Telkom copper cables worth R111 146-70 were involved. Two companies are in Upington while the others are in Kuruman and Kimberley respectively.

Suspects are expected to appear in their respective Magistrates courts on Tuesday, 19 July 2022. Investigation on the matter continues.

Source: South African Police Service

Salvokop flagship development to bring about spatial integration and will be the first of its kind bringing government departments, business and mixed residential development into one precinct

Today I was joined by the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu and Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and various stakeholders as we launched the flagship integrated Salvokop Precinct Development in Tshwane.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, in partnership with the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and National Treasury’s Government Technical Advisory Centre, is currently undertaking the installation of bulk and internal infrastructure works at the Salvokop mixed-use precinct project which is within the ambit of the Tshwane Inner City Regeneration Programme.

The Salvokop mixed-use precinct development includes the construction of five National Government client departments to be permanently accommodated, with the finalisation of the StatsSA head office already achieved in 2016.

The development will see the remaining four government head offices constructed in the precinct: the Department of Social Development and its agencies, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency, the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Correctional Services and Constitutional Development.

The precinct will be developed in three phases:

• Phase 1 (A and B): Installation of the bulk and internal infrastructure services and development of the 4 Public Private Partnership (PPP) Head Office Buildings

• Phase 2: Development of the Business Erven by the private sector

• Phase 3: Development of the mixed-income residential component

The development will be a first of its kind for South Africa aimed at achieving spatial integration by bringing government departments to a central location in proximity to mixed typology residential developments and various amenities supporting economic development for households and various income streams.

The construction of Phase 1A: Bulk Civil and Internal Engineering works is currently in progress with a number of local residents and SMMEs from the nearby community already employed on the project.

Key benefits of the project to the community and region at large include:

• Economic transformation and job creation: An estimated 3,215 jobs during construction of phase 1:

• Spatial integration, human settlements, and local government: Mixed-use precinct with land use rights in place for Government, Business 1, Institutional and Private open space creating equal access to schooling, housing, work opportunities, transport and recreational facilities

• Social cohesion and safe communities: Contributes to the NDP 2030 and sustainable development goals by responding to the Green Economy with sustainable buildings and precinct design, maximising on solar power, rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling etc. and planting over 700 indigenous trees and establishing public parks.

The Salvokop Precinct Development was also gazetted as a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) as part of the Infrastructure Investment Plan approved by Cabinet in May 2020.

This project is one of the projects demonstrating government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure development which enables sustained economic growth and job creation and bringing the construction sector back to life.

Project progress

The civil and engineering works currently taking place on site include:

Preparations for new roads to be constructed, the construction of electrical substations, storm water trenches and other bulk infrastructure works including the construction of a 30 mega liter reservoir at Freedom Park.

The bulk and electrical infrastructure works amounts to R377.3million with R41million spent to date.

The bulk infrastructure works started in October 2021 and is expected to be completed by October 2023.

Economic Empowerment

The projected SMME sub contracting is R98, 6 million with R744 000 spent to date on SMME sub contracting and another R1.1millionon local labour.

Some of the work sub contracted to SMMEs to date includes:

Site camp fencing to a 100% black female owned company, on site security, plant hire, equipment and construction materials.

Job creation

The project is expected to create an estimated 3,215 jobs during construction of phase 1 and more than 80 0000 jobs over the life cycle of the project from 2021 – 2030 for the phases which includes formal jobs in professional sectors, the built environment and labour, also informal sector as well as material manufacturing, transport and supporting services.

The project will be the first of its kind and aims to address the spatial disparities by reversing the legacy of apartheid spatial planning by bringing government departments in proximity to business development and mixed type residential developments to cater for diverse household income levels.

The project will be an example of how developments need to be constructed in our democracy by ensuring people live in well-located spaces, close to transport and economic activities.

The DPWI has been working closely with the community to ensure the success of the project together with other stakeholders including GTAC in National Treasury and the City of Tshwane.

A project steering committee has also been formed which includes representatives from DPWI, the City of Tshwane, the local councilors and community leaders and members.

My appeal to the community is to work with government to ensure the success of this project which has great benefits for the community through sustained job creation, sub-contracting for local businesses and ultimately a new integrated development that will bring economic developments, safety for families and community and more jobs for years to come.

Threats by the so-called “construction mafia” will also be dealt with in a serious manner by the South African Police Service as we cannot allow community projects to be delayed and held hostage through intimidation tactics. We must work together within the respective structures and co-operate with one another keeping the best interests of the community at heart.

Source: Government of South Africa