Day: August 4, 2022

GQEBERHA – Due to the recent instability and volatile state in the road freight and logistics industry which impacts on the country’s economy, the South African Police Service has adopted a multi-disciplinary approach in tackling various issues plaguing this industry.

On Wednesday, 3 August 2022, simultaneous operations involving the SAPS, Departments of Labour, Home Affairs and Human Settlements, Metro Police as well as metro and Provincial Traffic officials were held on the N2 Neptune Bridge, N2 North End (Green Street) and Markman respectively. Compliance visits were conducted at transport/storage companies in Markman. Fines of R2500 each were issued to two companies for non-compliance of proper storage of manganese (contravention of the Air Pollution Act). A total of 62 fines for contravention of the Road Traffic Act were issued to truck drivers at the two roadblocks on the N2 freeway. The total monetary value of the fines were R60 100.

Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata hailed this multi-disciplinary operation as a success and iterated that this is the first of many similar operations. “Road worthiness of heavy duty vehicles and competent drivers with valid credentials will not only minimise accidents but also mitigate any threats to our economy,” added Maj Gen Ncata.

Source: South African Police Service

The City of Cape Town has appointed 16 students as call centre agents at the 24-hour Customer Relations Call Centre. The City, in partnership with CapeBPO, has made this opportunity possible and sourced these students from areas across Cape Town to provide them with a 12-month learnership programme that offers practical experience within the workplace

CapeBPO is the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape’s strategic business partner responsible for the growth and development of the BPO industry in Cape Town.

The City is the host employer for this learnership and once the training at the City’s call centre has been completed, the students will receive a Contact Centre Learnership Certification, an equivalent to NQF4.

‘It gives me great pleasure to see these deserving individuals receive an opportunity to prove themselves in the workplace. Many of these students were unemployed qualified graduates who needed an opportunity to enter the job market. Through partnering with CapeBPO, the City gained access to a list of capable and ambitious candidates who want to make their mark and pursue their career goals by using this opportunity to their full advantage. We believe this learnership will provide them with a solid stepping stone in their career path. I am looking forward to seeing them flourish during their time at the City,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.

The newly-appointed Call Centre agents started in June 2022. These determined students are from Grassy Park, Retreat, Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein, Delft, Dunoon and Gugulethu, among others.

Robyn Abrahams, 25, from Retreat, is one of the students who has been appointed.

‘Being an employee at the City of Cape Town is every unemployed person’s dream job. When I was appointed as a learner through the City, it was like a dream becoming reality, as I’ve heard many successful stories that come from these learnerships. Believe me when I say I cried happy tears when I received an invite to the induction. The City of Cape Town has no idea what this opportunity means to me and my family.

‘Within these 12 months I am only aiming to achieve greatness. My short-term goal is to put theory into practice, and to leave our customers happy. My long-term goal is to become a permanent employee of the City and utilise my Diploma in Human Resource Management to the benefit of the City and the residents,’ said Robyn .

Zusange Mjakada, 23, from Grassy Park, also received this learnership opportunity and believes that it will help her learn and develop new skills.

‘When I was at the University of Cape Town, I always dreamed of working for the City of Cape Town; now that I am part of the team it feels like a dream come true. This learnership is a great stepping stone in my career and I am grateful for this opportunity. Over the next year I will bring forth my best abilities and I will work very hard to prove that I am a great asset,’ said Zusange.

The City partners with various organisations in Cape Town to facilitate these learnerships, which forms part of the staffing strategy.

Apart from this Customer Contact Centre learnership, the City offers another three learnership programmes each year. These include:

• Metro and Traffic learnership

• Public Management for People with disabilities learnership

• Records and Archives Management learnership

The City will communicate details about these programmes to residents as needed. For more information, interested applicants can also visit the Careers section on the City of Cape Town’s website.

‘I also want to use this opportunity to inform jobseekers that the City will never ask applicants a fee to apply for a job or any other opportunity. Thus, should you receive a message asking you to pay for a job, or a learnership, or any other opportunity at the City of Cape Town, you should know it is fraudulent,’ said Alderman Uys.

Source: City Of Cape Town

WESTERN CAPE – Delft Family Violence, Children Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) is requesting the assistance of the public in locating the suspect in the identikit who is wanted in connection with a rape and assault case.

According to information, on 20 July 2022, the victim was busy washing clothes outside her house when the suspect came asking questions. He then attacked and forced her into the house where he raped and assaulted her.

Anyone who can assist the police to arrest the suspect is kindly requested to contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ntswakeleng Masuhlo on 073 133 9540 or 082 522 1040 Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service

The City is engaging Khayelitsha community members in an effort to protect its Harare Infill housing project from unlawful occupation. This follows new threats of unlawful occupation of City projects, adding to the serious trend of thousands of opportunities having been lost over the last two years since the start of Covid-19 and the national lockdown. Stealing housing in this manner takes opportunities from rightful beneficiaries.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi and officials in the Human Settlements Directorate met with community members today, 4 August 2022, to discuss the Harare Infill project and the general concern about unlawful occupation and the loss of planned housing opportunities. A way forward will be determined following the inputs made. .

‘Some 231 units have already been handed over in the City’s Harare Infill housing project. We are taking proactive steps to protect any further unlawful occupations and secure tenure for the remaining 169 beneficiaries on the Harare site. Thousands of housing opportunities have been lost in the Khayelitsha area alone due to unlawful occupation. This is stealing opportunities from rightful beneficiaries and cannot be allowed.

‘Unlawful occupation is illegal. Stealing housing in this manner steals opportunities from those who are on the Housing Needs Register and in accordance with the Allocation Policy. Queue-jumping for housing opportunities is unacceptable. Residents and communities are encouraged to support the City’s efforts to protect beneficiaries, community projects and services by alerting us to any attempts to occupy land,’ said Councillor Booi.

Beneficiaries of all City housing projects are selected in accordance with the City’s Housing Allocation Policy and the City’s Housing Needs Register to ensure that housing opportunities are made available in a fair and transparent manner that prevents queue jumping and to those who qualify for housing as per the South African legislation.

Anonymous tip offs are welcome:

Residents can give anonymous tip offs if they are aware of illegal activity that is taking place; that has happened or is still to happen. Please call 112 from a cell phone (toll free) and 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 for emergencies.

Source: City Of Cape Town

FREE STATE – The joint activation by police, private security and farmers led to the arrest of six suspects in Marquard, found with eight stolen network batteries.

It is alleged that on Wednesday, 3 August 2022 at about 03:00, the police received information from the community with regard to unknown men digging network boxes and cutting copper cables.

Police acted on the information and arrested the first suspect near a filling station sitting inside a vehicle. He was arrested for possession of suspected stolen properties after eight network power box batteries were found in his possession.

Members mobilized local farm representatives through their Rural Safety Coordinator and private security to help trace the other suspects. At about 8:00, the team received intelligence led information on five other suspects hiking near a certain farm to Senekal. The team quickly responded and arrested the three suspects who were successfully linked to the first arrested suspects. Two other suspects managed to escape but were chased and arrested near a farm to Senekal.

The six men aged between 23 and 30, are expected to appear before the Marquard Magistrate court on Friday 05 August 2022, Facing charges of contravention of immigration Act, possession of suspected stolen property and damage of infrastructure.

“I want to applaud the team for this excellent achievement, may they continue working together to fight crime”, said the Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Baile Motswenyane.

Source: South African Police Service

Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg handed over food gardening tools for a community project in Crossroads, Nyanga and is pleased to report that efforts to stimulate food production at a household level are showing promising results, and has the potential to provide income support to many Cape Town communities.

During the national lockdown, many families experienced severe economic hardship as a result of businesses closing or being unable to operate, and have had to explore alternative ways to generate income.

In order to assist, the City’s Community Development Worker (CDW) Programme, in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Local Government, has supported and helped to stimulate various projects which can give communities income support. Projects that have received support to date include a tar making business, a beadwork collective and a business manufacturing cement garden pots/sculptures and more.

One of the CDW programme’s most exciting initiatives is a project to support residents growing their own food in their gardens, and thereby encouraging others to do the same. So far, 50 households spread across Atlantis, Philippi, Nyanga and Samora Machel are participating. The City has provided wheelbarrows, seeds, compost, gardening hand tools, spades, rakes and a watering can to participating families and communities. The City has also linked this project with the rollout of home composting containers and is providing composting tools and training for participants to make their own compost.

Participants in the project are not only eating the produce to save money, but are also selling and trading in their communities, stimulating the local economy.

The budget for the programme in 2021/22 was R80 000, and a further R100 000 has been allocated to expand the project in this financial year.

‘Clearly, food gardening has enormous potential to empower communities, and when combined with a composting programme, this also has environmental benefits as a result of reducing organic waste, which is disposed of at landfill sites. It makes total sense for the City to be encouraging this practice wherever possible, and I am hopeful that this story will inspire many more residents to get in touch with their inner farmer,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.

The City has resources on our website which can provide guidance for first-time farmers:

https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family and home/greener-living/green-gardening-and-eating/what-to-grow-in-your-food-garden

Source: City Of Cape Town

100 Days as MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety

Pushing our mandate to the limit

Fighting gun crime – R5 000 reward

Crime fighter recognition awards

Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) successes

Watching Briefs – alerting Minister Cele to systemic failures of police

K9 Units successes

Police station oversight visits

Neighbourhood watch patrols

R10 000 payments to support functioning of accredited Neighbourhood Watches

Devolution of police services

It has been just over 100 days since I took office as Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety. This time has been marked by building our own capacity to fight crime, conducting oversight visits at various SAPS stations, to strengthen SAPS’ hand in the fight against crime, patrolling with Neighbourhood Watches and a number of safety stakeholders and making a clarion call for a new national police minister, as what we currently have, has been failing dismally.

As safety is a core pillar of the entire Western Cape Government (WCG), in the first 100 days in office, I committed to the following, in order to create safer communities across the Western Cape:

Visit 30 police stations

Join 30 Neighbourhood Watch walkabouts

Participate in a number of Joint Crime Prevention Operations conducted by reaction units supported by the Department, inclusive of the K9 units and LEAP Programme

Strengthen the already established relationship with the SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant- General Thembisile Patekile and station commanders in the province

Engage various safety partners and political parties to ascertain how best we can collaboratively combat crime and violence.

For each of these, I am happy to report that not only have they been achieved, but in some instances also exceeded.

NHW Patrols

Instead of patrolling with 30 NHW’s, it’s been done with 40. Here I’d like to thank the NHW’s CPF, SAPS, Metro Police, Law Enforcement, private security companies and various others for embarking on these walks with us. Amongst others, and in Metro areas, there were various patrols in Salt River, Observatory, Woodstock, Victoria Park, Lorencia Park, Helderzicht, Figrove, Macassar, (Greater Somerset West), Leonsdale, Avonwood, Salbrau, Norwood, Ruyterwacht, Matroosfontein, (Greater Elsiesriver), Tafelsig, Hyde Park, Beach Craft Block (Mitchells Plain), Heideveld, Watchful Eye, Brothers for Justice, Cathkin, WBF, Allison Court Watch, Duinefontein, Silverstream, Letaba (Heideveld and Manenberg), Bridgetown, Silvertown, Belgravia, Crawford, (all Athlone) and Sizisukhanyo (Khayelitsha).

In non-Metro areas, we walked with the NHW’s from Bosmanadama, Voordorp and Hillrest, all from Wellington, Extension 13 and Albert Luthuli from Mossel Bay, Vredenburg on the West Coast and Calitzdorp in Kannaland. I commit to continue patrolling with more safety stakeholders, as it’s clear on the ground that when there is visibility, criminals tend to shy away from being spotted.

I am however concerned that there are various areas where NHW’s have either been depleted or they no longer exist. Klawer in the Matzikama municipal area, Calitzdorp and Ladismith in the Kannaland municipal area, are places, to name but a few where NHW’s have been depleted. Officials in the Department are in the process of addressing the matter.

I’d like to acknowledge the Klipfontein Mission Station NHW once again for the role they played in keeping Ms Shireen Essop safe when she was found after her disappearance. We handed over a certificate of commendation to the NHW and we’re in the process of accrediting them.

SAPS Station Visit

I conducted oversight visits at 30 SAPS stations. To name a few in the Metro, they include Muizenberg, Athlone, Atlantis, Parow, Diep River, Ravensmead, Table View, Langa, Gordon’s Bay and Grassy Park. Outside of the Metro, we were at Grabouw, Klawer, Vredendal, Vanrhynsdorp, Clanwilliam, Citrusdal, De Rust, Dysselsdorp, Bridgton, Oudtshoorn, Bongolethu, Calitzdorp, Ladismith, Tulbagh, Vredenburg, Saldanha Bay and Langebaan. At one station, the building is literally sinking into the ground. Another station has not had a generator for the last three months. Holding cells are not functional and in one area, prisoners have to be transported to another station to be accommodated. I’ve already written to the National Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia de Lille to enquire how these and many other infrastructure challenges will be addressed. I’m still awaiting feedback.

There’s a common thread at all stations and that is the chronic under-resourcing. One station reported that their fixed establishment should be 54 detectives. This was reduced to 36, but at the moment they only have 11. At another station, the vacancy rate is 24% and in some areas that are gang ridden, it hovers around 18%.

Looking at the police to population ratios for the 13 priority stations and the precincts recording the highest number of murders in 2020, it is apparent that all the police stations have a high ratio. The top 5 murder precincts record some of the highest police to population ratios: Khayelitsha, 628; Delft, 711, Nyanga, 559; Kraaifontein, 721; and Harare, 879. These ratios highlight the necessity of revising the Theoretical Human Resource Requirement (THRR), which is not new news, to ensure that stations with the highest levels of series crimes are adequately resourced.

They’ve expressed their frustration around the procurement process to have a van or vehicle fixed or just not having enough vehicles. Maintenance, some staff who are not motivated, along with many other issues were highlighted.

These have been communicated to the Provincial Commissioner, and well will continue to engage him on this front. It should be stated that SAPS finds itself in this position due to the National Government’s failure to effectively manage SAPS.

Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) Officers

These officers, who stems from the Western Cape Safety Plan (WCSP) are deployed where they can make the biggest difference in turning around negative crime statistics, including in our top 10 murder areas in the Western Cape. This includes Delft, Gugulethu, Harare, Khayelitsha (Site B policing precinct), Kraaifontein, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Philippi East, and Samora Machel. Other high crime areas in which they are deployed are Atlantis, Bishop Lavis and Hanover Park, and recently Lavender Hill, Steenberg and Grassy Park.

Between April 2022 and June 2022, these officers helped ensure that 1 491 persons could be arrested.

I’ve been on patrol with the LEAP officers in Mitchells Plain, where they inspected liquor outlets to ensure they’re compliant, as well as during their deployment in the Steenberg, Lavender Hill area. They are a site to behold and is truly making a bold statement in the areas where they’ve been deployed.

It should be noted that these placements are strategic and backed by evidence and data. For a number of years, Nyanga’s been known as the murder capital of South Africa. In fact, between the 2010/11 financial year, up to 2018/19, Nyanga topped the list where the most murders occurred in the country. Backed by this data and evidence, the first LEAP deployment in 2020, became a priority for this area.

K-9 Units

At the end of June, I had the privilege of joining the Swartland K9 unit and during this operation the officers saw two taxis initially stopping some distance away from the VCP point before making a sharp U-turn. Suspecting something sinister, the officers gave chase in the SAPS vans and escorted the vehicles back to the VCP. The K9’s with their sharp noses then sprang into action. Their excellent sense of smell helped uncover the illicit items, which led to the arrest of an adult male for dealing in dagga.

The Swartland unit made 98 arrests, of which 46 were drug related between 1 April 2022 and 30 June 2022

They conducted 11 roadblocks and searched 482 persons and 745 vehicles.

The Overstrand K-9 Unit, whom I’m still to visit made 138 arrests during the same period.

All these units, which we have established as the Western Cape Government is proving to be quite effective in their efforts to combat crime. I’ve committed to these units that we will continue to support them, as they’re demonstrating their effectiveness in the areas where they’re operating.

Reward for reporting stolen firearm

I’m pleased to inform you that we have reintroduced the reward system for the reporting of an illegal firearm. You would recall that this initiative was started by current Premier Alan Winde in 2019, but regrettably was not reignited when he moved from this portfolio to become the Premier. It’s now officially back and we want residents to help us by reporting where these illegal firearms are. All they have to do is dial 021 466 0011, which is a SAPS number. Upon the successful confiscation and confirmation that it’s indeed an illegal firearm, a reward of R 5 000 will be paid to the person who reported it. This person’s name will not be publicised in any way.

We need to get these illegal firearms off our streets, as they are the primary cause of murders in our province.

Over the coming weeks we will start putting up posters in various public spaces to ensure the greater public is made aware of this offer. We also call on you as the media to assist us creating awareness around this offer.

Crime fighter of the month recognition award

I’m happy to also inform the public that as of the end of September we will commence with a process of announcing a monthly crime fighter. This individual will receive an award for their significant contribution to creating a safer environment. All the details are being fleshed out and in due course we will make further announcements as to how this process will unfold and what it will entail.

We believe in a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach and this is another manner where we want to award the public for helping us in the fight against

Engagement with Western Cape SAPS Commissioner

To date, I’ve had two formal monthly engagements with Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile. We’ve agreed to strengthen the open-door policy that already exists, to be as transparent with each other as possible, while not seeking to undermine the roles that we have to play.

This is proving to be quite effective, as for the first time, a provincial MEC and SAPS Commissioner presented the provincial crime stats together.

Devolution

Even though the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, is spending a lot of his time in the Western Cape, this is pretense at its best. The National Minister has and continues to fail the people of the Western Cape, and this is why our call for devolution is clear.

LEAP and the K-9 Units are showing what the potential of a SAPS is should it be run by a capable Government such as ourselves.

Although he constantly mentions resources and allocations, it has become abundantly clear that the Minister of Police, has no plan to address the shortage of police resources in the Western Cape.

I refuse to play Minister Cele’s political game with crime. Too many people are dying due to invisible policing, as they either do not have the manpower or resources to patrol our communities.

Through LEAP, the K-9, NHW’s, CPF’s and other partnerships and structures, the Western Cape is stepping up where National continues to fail.

Watching Briefs

Our Watching Brief programme, which is part of our oversight role, continues to highlight systemic failures in policing. You saw the statistics for the 1st quarter of the current financial year, where 198 cases serving before court were withdrawn as a result of inefficiencies by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Categories of inefficiencies: Quarter 1 (April -June 2022)

Count

%

Cases withdrawn due to the dockets not being at court

85

43%

Cases were withdrawn due to the investigation being incomplete

80

40%

Cases were withdrawn due to the accused not being brought to court

21

11%

Cases were withdrawn due to the witnesses not being subpoenaed

8

4%

Cases were withdrawn due to the forensic reports being outstanding

4

2%

Total

198

100%

This is yet another reason why I am calling for the devolution of the police service in South Africa. All other countries with functioning democracies have regionalised police services that are highly effective, because their superiors have in-depth knowledge of the local conditions and how resources should be allocated.

I also attended the graduation of 190 males from Chrysalis Academy. The gentlemen were part of the 22 ALPHA course, which ran from 1 May 2022 until the end of July. Students came from various communities across the province, including Retreat, Lavender Hill, Khayelitsha, Philippi, Atlantis, Delft, Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay, the West Coast and many others. I am immensely proud of their accomplishment, as they demonstrated commitment and persevered. They now have a responsibility to pay it forward and assist other young people in their various communities

Moving forward

Continue playing our Constitutionally mandated oversight role over SAPS

Continue to strengthen the relationship with the office of the Provincial SAPS Commissioner

Continue supporting and develop NHW’s, CPF’s and accredited safety stakeholders.

Engaging local and international stakeholders and partners to improve the fight against crime in the province.

We still have a long way to go to making this the safest province in the country. Noting the failures of the national government in addressing crime, I believe that a devolved police service and an active community safety volunteer structure are our best tools to make a difference.

Source: Government of South Africa