Day: September 4, 2022

Council has approved the commencement of the public participation processes for the transfer of land parcels in Parow East for the development of social housing units. In total, the land parcels are 4 000m2 in size. Members of the public are encouraged to comment. Public input and partnerships are key thrusts of social housing developments in the metro.

It is envisaged that the subject property in consolidation with other vacant erven in its proximity will be transferred to a suitably qualified purchaser, in alignment with the Social Housing Act 16 of 2008, Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations R.878 (2008) and other relevant policies and regulations after obtaining necessary approvals.

All necessary public participation and due processes will be followed.

‘The City is making good progress with its social housing projects in the metro and these properties, which are along the Voortrekker Road Corridor are ideal for the development of much needed affordable housing opportunities for residents. We therefore encourage residents to make use of the opportunity to comment on the City’s plans for this area.

‘We are working hard and we are making progress to enable affordable housing opportunities housing for residents. We urge residents to share their comments with us in respect to the proposed property by contacting the Human Settlements Directorate,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi.

The City’s recently launched Land Release Programme is a priority programme of Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. In building Cape Town as a City of Hope, the land release programme aims to unlock and drive the potential for a large-scale public private sector social housing programme.

It focuses on:

1. A more fluid and rapid pipeline of land release for social housing

2. Identifying large mixed-use sites for private sector development

3. Unlocking the massive potential of micro-developers

4. Developing an enabling environment to accelerate land release

Facts about social housing:

• It is managed by accredited social housing institutions (SHIs).

• SHIs are solely dependent on rental income. They receive no operational grants. They are able to service their debt finance through rental income.

• As with any rental contract, tenants formally enter into lease agreements. The landlord is the SHI.

• If tenants do not adhere to their lease agreements, the responsible SHI will follow the necessary legal process. Tenants must therefore pay to stay as the rental money is used for the day-to-day operation and upkeep of the complex.

• The City has nothing to do with the day-to-day management of SHIs, the rental amount or evictions for not paying.

• Before potential beneficiaries can apply for social housing, they are required to register on the City's Housing Needs Register.

• Projects are developed on well-located, accessible land in and near urban centres.

• It is not low-income subsidised government housing, such as Breaking New Ground (or the commonly called RDP housing and it is not City Council Rental Units).

• It is managed with 24-hour security and access control.

• The City may sell City-owned land at a discounted price for social housing developments to make projects economically viable.

• Social housing offers improved access to social facilities and other amenities.

• A single grant subsidy can benefit on average five households versus one household for Council rental units.

• Social housing adds value to vacant pieces of land.

• Social housing has the potential to improve property values in an area.

Source: City Of Cape Town

A combined crime combatting effort by various role-players ensured that a duo involved in an armed robbery at a spaza shop at Kwanokuthula which led to the death of the shopkeeper are behind bars. The duo arrested during separate operations by local police, Garden Route District Rural Flying Squad, local security companies and community volunteers is expected to make their first court appearance tomorrow.

Investigation reveals, police were dispatched to a shooting incident at Sishuba Street (Phase 3), Kwanokuthula at Plettenberg Bay on Wednesday, 31 August 2022. Upon arrival they found the body of the man on the floor with gunshot wounds to the body. The 27-year-old victim, an Ethiopian national, was declared dead by paramedics on the scene.

A search for the perpetrators was launched and on Thursday, 01 September 2022 at about 20:00 Rural Flying Squad members responded to a call from law enforcement officers on the N2 highway near Plettenberg Bay where they cornered a man suspected to be involved in an attack. A search of the man resulted in the confiscation of a pistol. The suspect (23) was apprehended and detained on charges of murder, armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Furthermore, on Friday 2 September 2022 the same team operationalised information on the other suspect when they descended on a house at Kwanokuthula. A search of the premises ensued and the suspect was found hiding in the ceiling. Police arrested the 25-year-old suspect on a charge of armed robbery.

The pair remains in police custody. They are scheduled to appear in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates’ court on Monday, 05 September 2022 on mentioned charges.

In an unrelated matter, earlier this week Knysna police members responded to information on an illicit firearm and they conducted a search of the bushes at Phantom Pass just outside Knysna. An intensive search led to the discovery of an assault rifle. They confiscated the prohibited firearm and opened an enquiry into its origin.

Both firearms will be sent to the forensic laboratory for ballistic tests.

Western Cape police management applauded those involved for their vigilance to bring these perpetrators to book as well as the recovery of the firearms. Firearms in the hands of criminal pose a major threat to the public and the confiscations of these two will go a long way in safeguarding communities.

Source: South African Police Service

The vigilance and swift response from members attached to the Anti-Economical Crime Task Team landed two suspects aged 21 and 25 behind bars on charges of dealing in dagga.

On Friday, 2 September 2022 at about 15:20 the members received information that an unknown male was cultivating and selling dagga at a premises in The Range Road, Elsies River.

On arrival at the address members spoke to a male, who gave them permission to search the premises. The members conducted the search and discovered and seized a large quantity of dagga, treats that containing cannabis oil and various amounts of cannabis oils with an estimated street value of R20 610, and an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be the proceeds of crime on the premises.

They are due to appear in the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 5 September 2022 on the mentioned charges.

During Operation Vutha Hawe conducted on Friday, 2 September 2022, detectives arrested 483 wanted suspects on charges related to murder, attempted murder, and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, house robbery, burglary, sexual offences and possession of drugs.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile has commended the unrelenting efforts of all police officials involved in all operations and the communities for their involvement in the fight against crime.

Source: South African Police Service

POTCHEFSTROOM: The police in Ikageng request the community's assistance in locating 76-year-old Aaron Ramosasaca Segotso, who is residing at Lekhele Street, Kanana Extension, Ikageng Location outside Potchefstroom. According to information received, Segotso was last seen by his brother on Sunday, 6 February 2022. He allegedly got out of bed at about 08:00, drank tea, then left the house, but never returned.

Ensuing investigations including following up all the leads did not yield any positive results. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a black and white t-shirt, khaki pants and white boots. He is short (1,52m tall), dark in complexion, slender built with short black hair, a short black moustache and particularly large ears. His left eye is also much smaller than the right one.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Peter Molete on 083 ?434 8584 / 018 ?294 1453 or your local police station. Crime Stop can also be called on ??08600 10111. In addition, anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS app from your smart phone.????

Source: South African Police Service

The Welkom Public Order Police Unit followed up on information which led to arrest of man in possession of illegal firearm and ammunitions.

On Sunday, 4 September 2022 the members reported on duty at about 03:00 following up information of a suspect who was allegedly in possession of an unlicensed firearm at Meqheleng Township, Zone 8 at certain house. The house was searched in presence of the suspect and a black revolver with ammunitions was found hidden under the fridge and couldn't produce any licence and was arrested.

The 43-year-old suspect is charged and expected to appear before the Ficksburg Magistrates’ court soon facing charge of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunitions.

Source: South African Police Service