Day: September 29, 2022

The United Nations General Assembly has designated 29 September as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. The goal is to raise awareness to the importance of the problem and its possible solutions at all levels, and to promote efforts and collective action towards halving per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels, and reducing food losses along production and supply chains by 2030, as per the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Organic waste that ends up in landfills is a significant contributor to climate change. When this waste breaks down in the landfill mass, it creates landfill gas. This gas, made up primarily of methane, has been shown to have a global warming potential approximately 25 times higher than carbon dioxide.

However, while these emissions are the primary concern of the City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate, waste of food also has serious broader implications for food security. An estimated 14 percent of the world’s food is lost between harvest and retail, and an estimated 17 percent is wasted in retail and at the consumption level. This comes at a time when 811 million people on earth go hungry.  As a result, the City of Cape Town has been stepping up efforts to address food security in recent times. A Food Systems Programme has been developed by the Resilience Department to map City food mandates, improve scenario planning for food-related shocks and enhance networking among stakeholders. This programme includes Urban Waste Management’s efforts to reduce waste.

Urban Waste Management actions aimed at reducing food waste and associated emissions include, but are not limited to:

Currently all businesses in Cape Town are being required to update their mandated integrated waste management plans by 31 October 2022, to reflect how they will reduce their organic waste (including food waste they produce) that is sent to landfill by 50% before the end of the year, and 100% by 2027. All restaurants, hotels and other businesses that produce organic waste are required to comply.

 The City is also tackling organic waste that has already been disposed of at our landfills by establishing infrastructure that can safely extract and convert landfill gas to Carbon Dioxide, a far less harmful greenhouse gas, before it enters the atmosphere, or even burn this gas to create electricity. See here, here, here and here for details

Provided 22 495 home composting containers, and counting, to residents across the metro, free of charge. The City also offers tips to anyone wishing to start their own organic waste diversion and composting at home – a home composting container is not a necessity for this. Composting food waste at home not only reduces the impact of organic waste, but also feeds your soil and results in a healthier, more productive garden. Residents with a garden/outdoor space for a composting container/heap can find information here: https://bit.ly/3vIMK7J

The City is also investigating various ways to work with informal traders to separate and compost their food waste so that it doesn’t end up in landfills (see current trial being carried out in Langa).

The City’s waste recyclers map shows the location and contact details of private drop-off sites and organic waste collectors operating in Cape Town.

Finally, the planned Coastal Park Integrated Waste Management Facility will include some kind of facility that can separate organic waste from the general waste stream and beneficiate this organic matter. The exact design of this system must still be concluded however the intention to develop such a project represents a major step forward for the City’s waste management.

‘Reducing Food Waste is one of the most impactful climate solutions normal residents can implement in their own homes and businesses. As the world’s population continues to grow, our challenge should not be how to grow more food, but how to reduce food waste sustainably. The City is stepping up efforts to implement new technologies and infrastructure that can help reduce food waste, but we need citizens and businesses to also please play their part,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has drawn up a list of useful tips residents can follow for reducing food waste. The City encourages all residents to incorporate these tips into their daily lives.

Source: City Of Cape Town

The Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, led a #SpringCleanCT activation this week in Bellville CBD as part of the City’s campaign for a cleaner Cape Town, with a focus on business nodes.

 Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste, Alderman Grant Twigg, staff from the Economic Growth Directorate, and a team from the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) also sprang into action. Cleaning materials for the activation were kindly donated by USABCO, a Bellville-based company best known for the Addis range of products.

‘The City has stepped up to the challenge by putting 300 more boots on the ground to clean littering hotspots. But it’s also up to each and every one of us to do our part in creating a cleaner Cape Town. I would especially like to encourage local businesses to get involved in the #SpringCleanCT campaign,’ said Alderman Vos.

‘At present, several key developments are also under way, such as the building of high-tech storage centres for a major shopping chain, with plans in place for further projects.

‘When businesses help to make sure their areas are pristine, they give existing and potential customers or investors the confidence to support them. Between 2010 and 2021, approved building works in the Bellville area reached R7,3 billion, with major forthcoming investments including the high-tech storage centres for a major shopping chain. We need to ensure Bellville is a clean, conducive environment for more investment.

‘Under the City’s cooperation with the GTP, there are several projects wherein local businesses can also show their support, including experimenting with biofuel as a solution to food waste, urban greening projects, and the expansion of the Trolley and Recycling Project,’ Alderman Vos added.

The Trolley and Recycling Project is a programme that provides personal and economic development opportunities for waste pickers and is designed to empower individuals to become recycling entrepreneurs.

‘Our various recycling initiatives help us to maintain a cleaner centre while diverting waste from landfills and providing a source of income for destitute people that could, over time, break the cycle of poverty,’ said GTP CEO, Warren Hewitt.

Alderman Twigg said the #SpringCleanCT campaign has thus far achieved great success.

‘It is encouraging to see more people joining the #SpringCleanCT campaign. Since the start of the campaign just over three weeks ago, over 26 800 bags of litter, including recyclables, have been cleared off the streets of Cape Town.

‘The City has launched a 24-hour toll-free number to report tip-offs about illegal dumping activity. Those convicted of illegal dumping could be fined up to R5 000, have their vehicle impounded, or face a two-year prison sentence. In addition, for every report that leads to a fine and conviction, the City is offering a reward from R1000 up to R5000, depending on the offence,’ said Alderman Twigg.

There are three easy ways for businesses to get involved:

Share the #SpringCleanCT message with your staff and find useful information at CapeTown.gov.za 

Allow some time for your employees to arrange a clean-up, or sponsor a community clean-up to show your business cares. Be sure to share your efforts on social media with the hashtag #SpringCleanCT

Report illegal dumping tip-offs to our 24-hour toll-free number on 0800 110077

Source: City Of Cape Town

On 6 October 2022, the City’s Mobile Office in collaboration with the Basket of Services will be deployed to Maitland Garden Village and Bellville South.

From 09:30 until 13:30 officials from the City’s Customer Relations Department will be at the Maitland Garden Village Community Centre on the corner of Beaty Avenue and Alexander Road to attend to queries.

On the same day, the Mobile Office and the Basket of Services will be at the Bellville South Civic Centre, in Kasselsvlei Road in Bellville South from 09:00 until 15:00, to assist residents with service and municipal account enquiries.

Departments that will be visiting Bellville South include:

Human Resources for enquiries about bursaries, internships and apprenticeships

Social Development and Early Childhood Development – to provide information about challenges affecting our communities such as substance abuse, gender based violence, older persons, ECDs, persons with disabilities, youth and arts and culture programmes

Finance for all enquiries about municipal accounts

Health for more information about primary health care services

Human Settlements will assist qualifying residents with registering on the City’s housing database, as well as other housing enquiries

Safety and Security will provide information about traffic and law enforcement services

EPWP will assist jobseekers and give unemployed youth an opportunity to register on the jobseekers database.

‘Our aim is to build a working relationship with our residents by ensuring that they can access services as conveniently as possible. We constantly strive to develop appropriate service delivery models to improve access. Thus, I appeal to residents to please take advantage of this opportunity to engage with trained officials about a variety of services,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Today, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Alderman JP Smith visited the Metro Police K-9 unit where our four-legged officers learn how to put their best paw forward as part of the City’s crime fighting team.

Today, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Alderman JP Smith visited the Metro Police K-9 unit where our four-legged officers learn how to put their best paw forward as part of the City’s crime fighting team.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss the expansion of this unit with more dogs, and a new training and kennel facility.

Over the last year, the K-9 Unit has taken part in more than 500 operations focused on drugs, firearms, explosives, copper theft, missing persons and more with 192 drug-related drug arrests over the same period.

‘This unit is a great example of how the City has invested in building a more capable and effective City police service. In the years ahead we will grow the size of our K-9 unit. Our Metro Police K-9 Unit is regularly requested to join local SAPS operations, their Anti-Gang Unit on joint operations, and the City’s own enforcement services. This unit has become a key part of our efforts to make Cape Town safer for all. Its success gives weight to the call we have been making for the devolution of more policing powers to the City.’

‘We are implementing a record R5,4bn safety budget this year and deploying an additional 230 officers. We are doing everything within our limited ability and resources to make Cape Town safer – but we can do more to make residents feel safer through our Law Enforcement and Metro Police officers being empowered by Section 99 of the Constitution to create a fully-fledged City police service,’ said Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

Training scope for K9 Unit:

Training the dogs takes place over a three-month period in which they are tested on different disciplines, and assessed for their individual temperament which determines whether they are assigned to detect narcotics or explosives. During this time they are also bonding with their handler to form a lasting relationship of trust.

Once this phase of training is complete and the canine member becomes an active recruit, these skills are regularly repeated over time to ensure the quality of detection is maintained.

‘The ongoing and undisputed value of our loyal K9s have secured a permanent position within the ranks of our Metro Police, but more so within the hearts of Cape Town’s citizens. The public’s heartfelt appreciation for these service animals is perhaps only outpaced by the love and trust that exists between each handler and their assigned K9 partner. We have already begun costing exercises to determine how best we are able to expand the unit, to allow us to offer even greater support to these various departments,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Being able to detect substances remains a skill throughout their life – even when it’s time for a K9 member to retire – unless their senses are affected by medical issues.

Source: City Of Cape Town

FREE STATE – The police have issued a stern warning against mob justice and urge the public to refrain from taking the law in to their own hands. This follows after murder and arson cases were reported within the districts.

On Tuesday, 27 September 2022.  Patrolling members alleged that they were stopped by a motorist in Thabong about a person lying on the ground in Tlali Street near Thabong Clinic.

Members rushed to the scene and on arrival found a male victim who sustained serious head injuries and was unable to speak.   Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was assaulted by community members who alleged that he attempted to steal chairs at one of the establishments.

The victim was rushed to hospital for medical treatment. No arrests have been made as yet however, police investigations continue.

On Wednesday 28 September 2022, police arrested seven suspects after three young males, accused of crime in the area, were attacked at their place of residence at Paballong Village.  It is alleged that one of the young boys was arrested for burglary and was later released.  Community was unhappy and attacked him.  The three were sjamboked, assaulted and their house was set alight.  One died at the scene, the second succumbed to injuries while in hospital and the third is in hospital under police guard.

A total of seven suspects were arrested and are still to appear in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court for murder and arson.

The Free State Acting Provincial Commissioner, Maj General Solly Lesia appealed to the community to refrain from taking the law into their own hands as mob justice cannot and will never be an answer to our crime as perpetrators thereof will end up being arrested.  This will lead to more cases such as arson, murder, attempted murder and kidnapping being opened against community members who will be implicated in mob-justice. He further urged the community to stop such acts and to rather report any criminal acts or suspicious people to the police to allow the law to take its course.

If you see anything or hear about anything illegal, please contact the nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111, the police emergency number 10111 or 112 or send an anonymous tip-off to MySAPS App.

Source: South African Police Service

Maokeng Crime Prevention team and Sasolburg Public Order Police (POP) Task Team arrest five (5) suspects at Maokeng.

Upon receiving an intelligence led information on five (5) suspects loading suspected stolen cattle on a trailer. The members swiftly responded and caught the suspects.

Upon further investigation the members discovered that the suspects had stolen the cattle from a nearby farm on the R76 towards Viljoenskroon from Kroonstad.

Five (5) cattle valued at an estimated R37 500.00 were recovered.  The five (5) suspects aged between 28 and 47 have been arrested.

The suspects will be charged with stock theft and are expected to appear before Kroonstad Magistrates Court on Friday, 30 September 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

POLOKWANE – As part of endeavours of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Province to jointly deal with the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), a dialogue has been arranged to discuss all factors that potentially contribute to the escalation of GBVF incidents in the Province.

The Dialogue will be attended by various stakeholders including the Limpopo Department of Social Development led by the Member of the Executive Council, Dr Namane Dickson Masemola, the Provincial Police Management led by the Provincial  Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe and Station Commanders of the top 20 stations whose precincts contribute to the high number of GBVF cases, the Academia, leaders from the Religious fraternity,  youth formations,  traditional leadership and Community Policing Board members.

The event is scheduled as follows:

Date: Friday, 30 September 2022

Venue: University of Venda, Sports Hall

Time: 08:30

The Dialogue is expected to come up with holistic proposals and recommendations that would, if implemented, contribute to the reduction of GBVF cases.

Members of the media from different platforms are invited to attend and cover the event for public consumption.

Contact person: Lieutenant Colonel Malesela Ledwaba 082 451 71 80

Source: South African Police Service