Day: July 15, 2022

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Task team established to tackle KZN South Coast taxi violence

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has set up a multi-disciplinary task team to probe and curb ongoing taxi industry-related violence in KwaZulu-Natal’s Ugu and Harry Gwala Districts.

The unrelenting violence in the two regions has claimed 24 lives since the start of the year.

The developments were on Thursday announced by Police Minister Bheki Cele during a consultative engagement hosted at the Ugu Sport and Leisure Centre in the south of KZN. About 18 taxi association representatives and other taxi stakeholders attended the session.

Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said the intervention aims to address the growing acts of taxi violence that have led to the fatal shooting of 24 people around the Ugu and Harry Gwala Districts in KwaZulu-Natal since the start of the year.

Minister Cele condemned “any action by those in the taxi industry that seek to undermine the rule of law”.

The Minister said: “The death toll due to taxi violence has more than tripled compared to the same period last year where five people were killed in this area. If there is no special intervention, we might reach crisis proportions, so we cannot fold our arms and say this is a transport problem only. This is a safety issue that needs police intervention and a buy-in from other departments to deal with some of the underlying causes of this violence.”

Cele said the bloodshed must be stopped and has assured the taxi industry stakeholders that the multi-pronged team should be set up and operational in the coming weeks.

“The fact that some taxi associations can collect about millions of rands annually through member fees which is not taxed and the associations officials can decide how to use that money which [is] unaccounted for, cannot be allowed to continue.

“It is clear we as government and especially as law enforcers need to clean house, clean this industry at the level of ‘izinkabi’ [also known as hitmen] because they are being paid by someone and also we need to clean at the level of ownership.”

The Minister is adamant this team that will be assembled, must ensure that taxi associations and the affiliated owners can explain the kind of wealth they accumulate and what the money is being used for. He further added the work of the task team has the potential to create a referral point on how to deal with similar taxi industry conflicts, countrywide.

“The police alone can’t deal with this matter, while we have to work with agility to make arrests even within our ranks. We must put together a competent team and where there is money not accounted for, those best placed entities such as the South African Revenue Service or SIU can intervene, so accountability can be promoted in this sector and those in the taxi industry should explain where some of this money comes from and is being used for.”

Over and above the Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison officials led by the Acting MEC Jomo Sibiya, it is envisaged the team will rope in officials from the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) South African Revenue Services and Special Investigation Unit (SIU). The enforcement of the law should also see the SAPS arrest the hitmen and the masterminds behind the senseless taxi related attacks and murders.

While SANTACO has welcomed the establishment of the task team, another installation of the taxi stakeholder meeting will take place in the coming weeks to finalise the mandate and functions of the multi-pronged team.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Government determined to win fight against TB

Government will embark on Tuberculosis (TB) catch-up programmes as it continues to pursue shortened treatment after the infectious disease took a backseat due to COVID-19.

Deputy President David Mabuza announced this on Friday during the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) extended plenary in Rustenburg, North West.

“The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation by reversing the gains made in the fight against TB in South Africa and around the world. However, the country has made a conscious effort to begin rebuilding, confront the status quo, and intensify TB interventions,” he told the delegates.

According to the Deputy President, SANAC has begun coordinating and backing the development of the multi-sectoral TB recovery plan, including the TB catch-up programmes and the development of the TB multi-sectoral accountability framework supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“Both are roadmaps to ensure a collective response to TB and steer South Africa towards winning the battle against TB,” he explained.

South Africa is one of the 30 high-burden TB countries contributing 87% of the estimated incident cases globally and among the 14 States with the highest burden of TB, TB/HIV and multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB).

In the meantime, Deputy President Mabuza, who is also the SANAC Chairperson, said the body will continue to rally behind government’s efforts to push for shorter and more cost-effective TB prevention and treatment regimens that are key for successful adherence.

“Affordability of medicines continues to impact access and pharmaceutical companies need to partner with government to improve access not only to prevention regimens but also to medicines for treating multidrug-resistant TB.”

However, according to the Deputy President, what also remains paramount is the strengthening of access to psychosocial, nutritional, and socio-economic support to ensure successful TB treatment completion.

“The ongoing advocacy efforts led by civil society for the rollout of TB preventive therapy among the high-risk groups is central to our continued efforts to address TB-related challenges. Currently, the well-performing preventive therapy regimen is mostly available in Global Fund-supported districts and we need to upscale this, to ensure that it is accessible across the country.”

On HIV, he raised concern about the country’s high rates of new HIV infection among the youth.

“We, therefore, welcome the newly launched National Youth HIV Prevention Strategy and Campaign dubbed ‘Zikhala Kanjani’, which was launched in Limpopo during Youth Month under the leadership of the Department of Health’s youth champion, Deputy Minister Sibongiseni Dhlomo.”

Deputy President believes the use of Nguni colloquial term was a positive step toward reaching the youth with efficient and focused activities that speak to them.

Meanwhile, he said youngsters will also be employed to spread messages about prevention, treatment adherence, substance abuse, mental health, teenage and child pregnancies, youth unemployment and gender-based violence and femicide.

In addition, he reported that the SANAC has made significant progress in the process of developing the new National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs for the period 2023 to 2028 launched in March this year.

“A few targeted consultations have also taken place, with more being planned to take place within the next few weeks. Engagements regarding the National Strategic Plan Provincial Implementation Plans are also underway.”

Meanwhile, he said government was planning to launch the new National Strategic Plan at the next World TB Day on 24 March 2023.

“Immediately thereafter, the rolling launches of the National Strategic Plan Provincial Implementation Plans shall ensue. Effective implementation of the National Strategic Plan is largely dependent on proper alignment between national and provincial structures,” he added.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Minister to engage taxi industry on fuel hikes

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has expressed concern at the impact that the fuel hikes has on the public transport industry.

“The impact of the fuel hikes on ordinary citizens who rely on the taxi industry cannot be downplayed. I will engage with the leadership of the taxi industry on this matter within the broader context of government interventions to alleviate the fuel price impact on the cost of living of ordinary citizens,” Mbalula said on Friday.

The Minister noted statements made by some associations affiliated to the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) concerning a possible shutdown.

He said he plans to engage with the leadership of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) on the fuel price increases and other pertinent matters affecting the industry.

The Minister also intends to engage with the leadership of the NTA on the possible measures to alleviate the impact of the fuel hike in line with their request to the Minister.

Mbalula is also concerned about the ongoing conflict in the taxi industry.

The Minister has committed to the implementation of the resolutions of the National Taxi Lekgotla, which includes the introduction of punitive measures against those who are party to taxi violence.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Police launch manhunt after 5 killed in Alexandra

Police in Gauteng have launched a manhunt for unknown armed suspects after five people were fatally shot and another five injured at different locations in Alexandra on Thursday evening.

Gauteng South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said it was alleged that about four armed suspects went on to rob and shoot people in the area.

Police Minister Bheki Cele is on Friday expected to visit the area.

He said: “It is reported that the suspects first met people travelling in a Toyota Etios on Fourth Avenue and Selborne Street and fired shots at them. One person was injured.

“The second incident occurred at Eleventh Avenue and Boulevard Street where the suspects found two people sitting in a car charging cell phones as there was no electricity in the area, due to load shedding. The suspects robbed the victims of their cell phones before shooting them. Both victims were taken to medical care centres for treatment.”

He said the suspects came across the next victim at Boulevard Street, where he was fatally shot. The next victim was shot at Seventh Avenue where he died on the scene while two people were robbed of their cell phones and shoes.

Masondo said the suspects met and shot three people at Sixth Avenue.

“One person was fatally wounded while two victims were taken for medical treatment.

“It is reported that the last shooting happened at Sixth Avenue and Roosevelt Road where two people were shot while inside the Toyota Avanza. Both victims died at the scene,” he said.

The police have opened five cases of murder, five of attempted murder and armed robberies.

Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, on Friday strongly condemned the random shootings

He subsequently assembled a team, comprising of different units of the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies, to search for the suspects.

Masondo said one person was arrested after he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Alexandra.

“The suspect is still being profiled to establish if he is linked to the shootings. The firearm will be taken for ballistic test to determine if it was used in the commission of crime,” he said.

He said police management was concerned about the proliferation of firearms in Alexandra and operations to recover such weapons are continuing.

“Police are appealing to anyone who might have information that could help in the investigation or assist in the apprehension of the suspects, to please call the nearest police station or crime stop on 08600 10111 or by giving a tip-off on the MySAPS app. All information received will be treated as strictly confidential,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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MEC commends Sobantu triple murderer’s guilty plea

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza, has welcomed the guilty plea by murderer and rapist, Njabulo Ndlovu, who appeared before the Pietermaritzburg High Court facing two charges of rape and murder of three people.

Ndlovu, aged 29, pleaded guilty to the murders of a seven-year-old Zenande Ndlela, her mother Simangele Ndlela, 46 and her grandmother Zanele Ndlela, 65. He is also facing two rape charges of Zenande.

It is alleged that Ndlovu strangled the deceased and raped the child twice in their home in Sobantu Township, two weeks ago.

In his statement presented by his legal representative before the court, Ndlovu stated that he had spent a night in the house after having drinks and had consensual sex with Simangele earlier.

Nldovu said Zanele came into the bedroom brandishing a kitchen knife and demanding that he leave her house, and a scuffle ensued.

He said he stabbed Zanele three times and strangled her to death. Thereafter, he murdered Simangele and later raped Zenande twice before strangling her to death.

Ndlovu also accepted all the doctor's pathology reports regarding the deceased cause of death.

Judge Poyo Dlwati found Ndlovu guilty on all charges.

Khoza commended the investigating team for a sterling investigative work, which resulted in Ndlovu’s imprisonment for a long time.

"It is clear that Ndlovu's actions were premeditated. We are in so much pain by the murder of defenceless women.

“Although the conviction will not bring them back, we find comfort that this heartless man will spend his life in prison. We are pleased by the work done by the police in investigating this case, which ensured quick finality," Khoza said.

The MEC said Ndlovu’s sentencing would bring more confidence to the country’s criminal justice system.

"For police to secure convictions means that the people of Sobantu, especially women, will be able to walk freely. People who are accused of such atrocious crimes must face imprisonment.

“We don’t need people who commit such horrendous crimes to remain in our society. The sentence should serve as a lesson to all serial killers, serial rapists and criminals that their rights are not absolute," the MEC said.

Khoza also emphasised that police need to conduct thorough and good investigations in all cases of gender-based violence (GBV), and leave no stone unturned.

“Courts should not have mercy on people who abuse, rape and kill vulnerable women and children.”

She added that whilst it is pleasing that police arrest suspects, “what is even crucial going forward is to secure harsher sentences.”

"It is for this reason that we also encourage our communities to allow police to do their job and avoid taking the law into their own hands. We are pleased that although the community of Sobantu was aggrieved, but remained calm until the case reached its finality," she said.

Ndlovu will be sentenced on Thursday, 21 July 2022. The court wants to apply for sentencing without parole.

Source: South African Government News Agency