Day: August 3, 2022

Between February and July 2022, the City of Cape Town protected its customers from 722 hours of Eskom load-shedding. The City remains committed to protecting its customers from up to two stages of load-shedding where it is possible primarily through the use of the Steenbras Hydro Pumped Storage Scheme. Unfortunately, Eskom’s load-shedding has resumed. The City will protect its customers tonight and will only shed between 17:00 and 19:00. No load-shedding is expected for City-customers for the rest of the evening.

'It is important that we ensure our Steenbras plant is properly maintained and that we invest in our energy infrastructure for reliable services. The City is also continuing to build on its programme of ending load-shedding over time by focusing on energy diversification to enhance security of supply with the City's own build projects, small-scale embedded generation programmes of buying excess power from qualifying customers, wheeling and independent power producer programmes.

'We thank residential and commercial customers who worked with us over the recent phase of load-shedding by curtailing load and also flattening the evening peak usage.

'Customers can continue to look at reducing usage especially during the winter months when electricity usage is higher. This also adds to household costs. Geysers use the bulk of household energy and reducing the temperature of the geyser to 60 degrees Celsius or making sure the geyser is on a timer or only active for an hour or two per day is a crucial step to reducing energy usage,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen.

Source: City Of Cape Town

NELSPRUIT - The brutal murder of a police officer has been strongly condemned by the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela. As a result the Commissioner activated a multidisciplinary approach to find the killer(s) of the member who was stationed at Kabokweni SAPS.

Mandlenkosi Happy Thwala, aged (45) was found dead by a neighbour, in Gedlembane, Pienaar this morning, Wednesday 03 August 2022, around 07:30.

According to information, police in Pienaar were called to attend to a scene where a neighbour, alleges that she received a call from the mother of the member, requesting the neighbour to check on her son as she is suspecting that her son might have been murdered.

Upon the police's arrival, they found him motionless, laying in his bed with visible gunshot wounds on his body. He was shot five times allegedly with his service pistol, two times on the head and three times on his upper body. The Medical Service were summoned to the scene, unfortunately he was certified dead. There were also two cartridges found on the floor and his vehicle, green VW Polo Classic (DSV 112 MP) as well as his service firearm and cellphone was missing but later discovered abandoned in the bushes. A murder case with additional charge of robbery was opened for investigation.

As police were still in shock upon what has happened, a passer-by approached them (police) whilst conducting a road block at Newscom in Pienaar. The person indicated to the members that he saw a firearm next to the road, few metres from the roadblock. It was later discovered that the firearm was the one that belonged to the deceased.

A 29-year-old suspect (woman) has been arrested within 24 hours at Dayizenza hiding at her boyfriend's house.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has further vowed that the police in partnership with the community will work together to ensure that the perpetrators of this haneous crime are soon brought to book. "We like to send our sincere condolences to the family of our member. We are very much concerned about the killing of members more especially at Kabokweni area since the past months. The ones that committed this barbaric act should be put where they belong before taking another life. We shall never rest until we achieve this," said Lieutenant General Manamela.

Source: South African Police Service

KZN residents urged to use water sparingly

The Department of Water and Sanitation continues to urge residents of KwaZulu-Natal to continue using water sparingly.

The province’s dams have remained unmoved since last week, sitting comfortably at 89,1%.

This is according to the weekly report on dam levels issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

The main water supply system (WSS) in KwaZulu-Natal, Umgeni WSS, marginally dropped but remains above average at 89,1% from last week’s 89,4%.

Most of the dams have stayed put week on week.

Craigie Burn Dam stayed at 100,5%, joined by Spring Grove Dam at 100,4% and Zaaihoek Dam at 90,6%.

Bivane and Goedertrouw also sit comfortably at 100,4% and 100,1% respectively.

Mearns Dam had the most significant decline this week landing at 95,8% from 100,7% while the Driel Barrage had the most notable jump from last week’s 96,3% to full capacity this week.

“Many the KZN dams are at full capacity and are unmoved this week.

“The provincial storage capacity for the next week might be helped by the cold front that will engulf the country which may bring isolated rains with it,” said the department’s spokesperson Sputnik Ratau.

“Despite the full and almost overflowing reservoir levels we continue to call on residents to use water sparingly.

“We understand that as temperatures dip people may be inclined to take longer hot showers or fill bathtubs to the brim as a means of remaining warm. We ask that this not be done as South Africa remains a water scarce country and we need every drop,” he said.

For more information, contact Sputnik Ratau, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation on 082 874 2942

For media releases, speeches and news visit the Water & Sanitation portal at: www.dws.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

POLOKWANE - One thousand-two hundred and eighteen (1218) suspects were arrested during the joint operations conducted by various police units since Sunday, 24 July until Monday 01 August 2022.

The offences included possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, illegal hunting, murder, attempted murder, rape, fraud, possession and dealing in drugs, common robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, Contravention of Immigration Act and possession of illicit cigarettes.

A total number of 7830 counterfeit cigarettes sticks, 25 dangerous weapons, large quantity of dagga, drugs that included Crystal Meth, Nyaope, and 15 firearms, large quantity of liquor, 21 knives and 05 stolen or robbed vehicles were also seized during these operations.

Police recovered one abandoned white Nissan at Ga-Masemola, after it was reported stolen during a house robbery incident occurred on 31 July 2022 at around 23:00 in Thabampshe Village. Another stolen vehicle, red Polo was found abandoned at Dennilton policing area, following reports about a hijacked vehicle at the area, on Saturday, 30 July 2022 at around 23:00. Whereas, Members of Limpopo Highway Patrol in Waterberg, arrested a 39-year-old suspect for possession of stolen vehicle that was reported at Phokeng Saps during July 2022. He was also charged with bribery case after he tried to offer R4010.00 to the Police to release him. Two more suspects aged 33 and 34 were arrested at Musina for possession of two stolen motor vehicles. Toyota GD6 was reported stolen at Silverton Saps and Silver Toyota Fortuner reported at Brooklyn Saps, both during July 2022.

Three suspects were arrested at Lebowakgomo on Sunday, 31 July 2022 for possession of unlicensed firearm, dealing and possession of illicit cigarettes and bribery. Allegedly, police received information about the suspects being in possession of unlicensed firearms. They tactically approached the said house and upon searching the two suspects and the house, police recovered one unlicensed firearm and illicit cigarettes loaded in a Toyota Camry. They were immediately nabbed. One of the suspects' relative approached the Police offered them R5000.00 to release his relatives. He was also arrested.

Members of Limpopo Flying Squad arrested one suspect at Mall of the North, after he was found in possession of stolen motor vehicle. Allegedly, the vehicle was reported stolen at Littleton Saps.

On Saturday, 29 July 2022, the Police in Groblersdal nabbed one suspect after he was allegedly found in possession of stolen vehicle that was reported stolen at Erasmia Saps, during July 2022.

A 30-year-old suspect was arrested by Members of Limpopo Highway Patrol in Sekhukhune for allegedly, found in possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, on Thursday, 28 July 2022.

Members of Flying Squad arrested six suspects aged between 19 and 40 in connection with murder case that occurred at Maleboho policing area during April this year.

The suspects have started appearing before their local Magistrate's court across the province.

The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has praised the Police teams for arresting the suspects and keeping this province safe.

The operations are continuing.

Source: South African Police Service

Minister Creecy to assess the scientific services of the National Zoological Garden of South Africa in Pretoria

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy will assess the scientific services of the National Zoological Garden of South Africa in Pretoria, on Thursday, 4 August 2022.

During her visit, the Minister accompanied by the Chairperson and the board members of South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), and management aims to assess the facility’s contribution to biodiversity, research, scientific services, animal welfare, conservation, tourism, and public awareness. The National Zoological Garden of South Africa is the largest zoo in the country and the only one with national status.

The Minister will get firsthand information on SANBI’s cutting edge foundational research and scientific services, particularly those activities that contribute positively on policy action, wildlife regulatory services and associate enforcement and compliance.

Source: Government of South Africa

President to address Presidential Social Sector Summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 05 August 2022, deliver the keynote address during the closing ceremony of the Presidential Social Sector Summit to be held at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Gauteng Province.

The Presidential Social Sector takes place on 4 and 5 August 2022 under the theme "Fostering Social Cohesion to enable Socio-Economic Participation in Communities". The event will be held at the Birchwood Conference Centre, Boksburg.

In his 2018 State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa issued a call to the nation for a social compact - a shared national agenda and commitment that will guide with all sectors of society in building the South Africa envisaged in Vision 2030 of the National Development Plan.

In line with the National Development Plan’s advancement of active citizenry, the Summit will bring together stakeholders from a wide range of constituencies to work with government to address socio-economic challenges and mobilise resources for civil society, among other objectives.

The Department of Social Development set up a National Task Team comprising key departments, civil society organisations, the National Lotteries Commission and the NEDLAC Community Constituency to coordinate and ensure the inclusiveness of the Social Sector Summit.

Dialogues were held in all provinces between provincial governments and social partner organisations as part of the build-up to the summit.

The summit will consider dialogue reports from the nine provinces covering challenges that have been raised.

These challenges include access to funding, regulatory issues; transformation of the social sector with a view to fostering a state-civil society partnership to address challenges related to poverty, inequality, and employment, and the deepening of democratic participation.

About 600 delegates from various Civil Society Organisations (CSO) from across South Africa are expected to attend the summit.

These organisations play an important role in society through welfare, economic empowerment, skills development, sports and recreation, advocacy and human rights.

President Ramaphosa will underscore the role of civil society organisations in the realisation of the National Development Plan.

Source: Government of South Africa

SA and Botswana Trade Ministers to brief media after the Business Forum

South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Ebrahim Patel and Botswana’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela will brief the media this afternoon at the conclusion of the South Africa-Botswana Business Forum that is currently underway in Gaborone.

Before the media briefing, the two ministers will lead a meeting that brings together government and private sector representatives from the two nations to engage in discussion aimed at promoting trade, investment and joint-venture partnerships.

Discussions will also look into pillars of Botswana’s and South Africa’s industrialisation policies with a focus on mineral beneficiation and localisation initiatives in soda ash, diamonds, nickel and coal.

Source: Government of South Africa