Day: October 6, 2022

The City of Cape Town is proposing a brand new public transport interchange in Vuyani, with facilities for minibus-taxi operators and commuters travelling to Mfuleni, Eerste River, Blackheath, Kuils River and Lwandle. Residents and interested parties are invited to attend an open day and to submit their comments by 26 October 2022.

The new facility will be located on the corner of Spine Road and Jeff Masemola Road, adjacent to the existing Vuyani meat market in Khayelitsha.

‘We propose to build a new minibus-taxi facility with a roof covering the loading lanes and waiting area so that commuters and operators have protection from the sun and rain, and lighting for improved safety after dark. There will be ablution facilities, an administration building, as well as universally accessible pedestrian facilities. The concept design is now available for comment and I urge commuters, operators, and all others who are interested in this project to please submit your views. This facility is for the Vuyani community, and the public participation process is an important opportunity to contribute and influence the final design,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The City is inviting the public to an information day about the draft concept plan for this project. The details are as follows:

Tuesday, 11 October 2022

Blue Hall on the corner of Bekelentloko Street and Hlomela Street, behind the Philani nutrition centre, Town Two in Khayelitsha

From 14:00 to 19:00

The project includes embayments along Spine Road for GABS buses.

Once complete, the minibus-taxis will operate from this facility with trips to destinations such as Mfuleni, Eerste River, Blackheath, Kuils River, and Lwandle.

‘I want to add that the new PTI in Vuyani fits into our planning as we are rolling out the next phase of the MyCiTi service to the metro-south east to connect Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha with Claremont and Wynberg. A MyCiTi stop is planned for at the intersection of Spine Road and Govan Mbeki Road. This is about 200m away from the new PTI and within walking distance. Thus, a few years from now commuters from Vuyani will have access to at least three different modes of public transport: minibus-taxis, the MyCiTi bus service, and GABS.

‘One of our priorities for this term of office is to improve communities’ access to safe, dignified, and affordable public transport services. We are working towards this goal one project at a time, and I am calling on Vuyani’s residents to please attend the information day where officials will answer their questions,’ said Councillor Quintas.

How to comment:

Residents and interested parties are encouraged to submit comments by 26 October 2022

Submit comment online at www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay

Send an email to transport.news@capetown.gov.za

Hand in your written comments at the local Subcouncil 10 office, Khayelitsha Training Centre on the corner of Lwandle Road and Phendula Crescent

Visit the information day on 11 October 2022

The City will take all of the comments into account when finalising the detail design for the proposed facility. If all goes as planned, the construction will commence in 2024.

Caption: An artist impression of the proposed new public transport interchange in Vuyani, on the corner of Spine Road and Jeff Masemola Road in Khayelitsha. The public is encouraged to submit their comments, noting the closing date of 26 October 2022.

Source: City Of Cape Town

A MyCiTi station, facilities for other bus services, and upgrades to Stanhope Road and Claremont Boulevard, are proposed for Claremont. The investment in this precinct forms part of the expansion of the MyCiTi footprint to Claremont, Wynberg, Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha. The concept design for the facilities and road upgrades will be available for comment from 10 October until 10 November 2022.

‘The proposed upgrades and expansion of the existing bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard will revitalise this precinct with world-class public transport facilities. The new MyCiTi station will be in the heart of Claremont, within walking distance of student accommodation, shopping malls, and other amenities, and literally a block away from Main Road, the main artery connecting this area with the Cape Town CBD. I encourage residents to please take a look at what we propose for this precinct, and to submit comments and proposals,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The existing bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard, between Hawthorne Road and Newry Street, will be upgraded and expanded to include a new MyCiTi bus station within walking distance from the Claremont railway station and the minibus-taxi facility in Ralph Street.

‘Once the upgrade has been completed and the new MyCiTi station is operational, commuters will have a choice of five different modes of public transport – MyCiTi, GABS, UCT Shuttle, passenger rail, and minibus-taxis – within a radius of less than 120m.

‘This will revolutionise the way commuters travel to and from Claremont as they will have quick and easy access to different modes of transport with seamless transfers between their mode of choice. The MyCiTi station will serve destinations in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain via the planned trunk route that is to connect the metro-south east with Wynberg and Claremont,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Proposals for new bus facility along Claremont Boulevard:

The MyCiTi station will comprise of four enclosed platforms

The MyCiTi station precinct will include a ticket office, 10 electronic access gates, lock-up facilities for bicycles and ticket vending machines

All facilities and walkways will be universally accessible

The concept design includes an overhead concrete slab or deck which could accommodate a multi-storey building above the MyCiTi station for a future mixed use development in line with the City’s transit-oriented development strategic framework

A small bus holding facility will be located under the Stadium-on-Main for a maximum of five off-peak buses and driver shift changes

GABS buses will operate from a dedicated bus lane along Central Street, as is currently the case

The UCT Shuttle Service will still operate from Central Street, at the Ground Floor entrance of the Stadium-on-Main

The planned upgrade includes the planting of trees and other landscaping which will benefit the surrounding area and pedestrian experience

‘We are bringing the MyCiTi service to Claremont as part of our commitment to giving more Capetonians access to safe, affordable, dignified and reliable public transport. Apart from adding to our public transport offering, the surrounding area will also benefit from this investment in the existing infrastructure and roads in the immediate vicinity,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Given that the upgraded bus facility will be located on land of high development value, the proposed concept design of the new MyCiTi station accommodates the possibility of overhead development in future.

‘Mixed use developments add to the vibrancy and efficiency of public transport precincts, and we are excited that the transit-oriented development principles are included in this proposal,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Proposed changes to surrounding roads:

Claremont Boulevard will be upgraded with the addition of dedicated bus lanes to and from the bus facility

Stanhope Bridge will be realigned to ease access from Imam Haron Road, and will include dedicated bus lanes

Palmyra Road will be realigned into a T-junction with Imam Haron Road

Residents, and all other interested and affected parties are encouraged to comment on the draft concept design for the facility, including the proposed changes to roads in the area. The closing date for comments is 10 November 2022.

How to comment:

The commenting period opens on 10 October until 10 November 2022

Submit a comment via www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay

Send an email to transport.info@capetown.gov.za

Attend the public information day on Tuesday, 18 October 2022, from 14:00 to 18:00, at the Claremont Library

If all goes as planned, the construction will commence in August 2024, after the conclusion of the public participation process and detailed design. The construction will take about 24 months.

Source: City Of Cape Town

MALEBOHO – On Thursday, 06 October 2022 at about 11h00, Maleboho SAPS were represented by the Social Crime Coordinator, Sergeant Thoka together with Sergeants Makgosa and Magolego to conduct multiple crime awareness campaigns at Kromhoek village.

The awareness campaign commenced by visiting various spaza shops and cash loans premises in the village. Afterwards, the trio proceeded to Mighty Chiefs sport grounds to host a Sports Against Crime awareness campaign and further extended visits at filling stations and various liquor outlets for monitoring of safety compliance.

The following topics were addressed during the crime awareness campaigns:

SASSA Grants

Assault GBH

Underage drinking

Contravention of Liquor License Act

Stock theft

Human trafficking

Rape

Gender Based Violence (GBV)

Dangers of drug and substance abuse.

Source: South African Police Service

POLOKWANE – In an effort to strengthen Crime Prevention in the Province, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has appointed Brigadier Isaac Madala Mhlongo as the new Provincial Head of Proactive Policing (Visible Policing).

Brigadier Mhlongo is a veteran Police Officer whose extensive experience in the SAPS has rendered him competent to the core functions of the organisation through trial, practical knowledge and education. With his 32 years of experience, Brigadier Mhlongo began his career as a Special Constable in 1990 when he completed his training in Koeberg, Cape Town.

In 1994, he escalated to the rank of Constable and returned to training at Maleoskop Training Institution to further his career. Brigadier Mhlongo worked in various environments including the Charge Office, where he worked for several years.

By the year 2000, he had developed a strong work ethic and meticulous attention to detail. Realising his capacity, his superiors deployed him to the Ermelo Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC); where he excelled and was nominated outstanding Officer by Middelburg Provincial Criminal Record Centre (CRC) Inspection team. This was for his duties in the processing of the exhibits (Forensic: DNA, Ballistic, etc), photo albums and fingerprints; which resulted in securing multiple convictions for serious and violent crimes.

In 2002, Brigadier Mhlongo was transferred to Newcastle Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) in Kwazulu Natal, where he introduced operational transformation, which earned him yet another nomination as the best employee by the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit.

He was then promoted to Philippi Railway in the (Western Cape) in 2004, to operate in the positions of Operational and Relief Commander simultaneously, holding the rank of Captain. This is where he operated with a team of dedicated Police Officers and all other external role players to reduce crime in the area; which included incidents of serious injuries and fatalities involving trains. He also utilised the extended arm of the law to reduce the rail transport system sabotage, as well as vandalism crimes throughout the railway environment.

In 2009, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel as an Operational Commander in Cape Town International Airport (Western Cape) where he successfully handled international and local events without any incidents. His persistence and passion carried him and his team to be nominated in the  category  as the best operational team in terms of Service delivery in 2014.

Brigadier Mhlongo was then transferred to ORS: Border Policing environment at Maupa Naga in Pretoria as Land Sub-Section Commander, where he was tasked with monitoring and evaluating various Border Policing Environments around the country (all Provinces of South Africa).

In 2016, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel and served as Provincial Commander for ORS: Border Policing in the Eastern Cape, where he headed the Land (vehicles, Persons and Stock theft, Air (Cargo) and Sea (Containers) Border Units; where he was responsible for monitoring in the Enhanced Movement Control System (EMCS), to ensure that all wanted suspects are arrested and incidents and/or all possible illegal movements at the Port of Entry are dealt with.

In 2020, Brigadier Mhlongo was transferred to Tshwane District as Vispol Coordinator and later acted as Tshwane District Vispol Commander until 30 September 2022.

He finally made his way to Limpopo Province, where he intends to share his expertise through his appointment in the leadership role. Brigadier Mhlongo holds a Diploma and Baccalaureus Technologiae (BTech) Degree in Policing.

The Provincial Commissioner: Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has urged Brigadier Mhlongo to apply all the practices, principles and work ethics that he has developed throughout his career to lead him to the height he is in today; to blend with members in the province in order to eradicate social ills that are leading residents towards crime, contribute towards restoring the moral fibre in our communities and strengthen the organisation in the fight against crime.

Source: South African Police Service

MURRAYSBURG – The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile has welcomed the hefty sentences which were imposed on the accused in two different murders that were perpetrated in Murraysburg during January 2021 and November 2018 respectively, claiming the lives of two women.  The accused in the 2021 murder of Janine Berenice Jacobus (22),  31-year-old Elrick Hendricks aka ‘Driesie’ was sentenced to life imprisonment whilst the 77-year-old  pensioner, Jan Bam was sentenced to 15-years imprisonment in connection with the death of Elsie Cornelia Fritz (26) during November 2018 in Murraysburg.

Scenario 1

The 77-year-old accused, Jan Bam was sentenced in the Oudtshoorn Regional Court to 15-years direct imprisonment on Tuesday, 04 October 2022 following his trial in connection with the murder of the 26-year-old Elsie Cornelia Fritz. Preliminary investigation at the time revealed that the unknown body of the deceased was found in an open filed, laying in a pit-hole, already in an advance stage of decomposition. The autopsy confirmed that the deceased probably died due to multiple stab wounds to the right side of her neck.

Attempts by the investigation officer to trace the family proved to be successful and led to the identification of the deceased. Thorough investigation by the investigating officer, Detective Constable FLD Macpherson, assisted by information received from the community, led to the subsequent arrest of the accused, then 73-years-old at the time, at his house in Murraysburg.

His first court appearance was on 15 November 2018. He was sentenced in the Murraysburg Regional court on Tuesday, 04 October 2022 to direct imprisonment of 15-years and also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Scenario 2

The 31-year-old Elrick Hendricks made his final court appearance in the Murraysburg Regional Court last month (13 September 2022) in connection with the death of Berenice Jacobus (22) when the magistrate found him guilty on the following counts;

Assault GBH: 5 years imprisonment

Kidnapping: 5 years imprisonment

Murder: Life imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Initial investigation reveals that the local SAPS dispatched members to a complaint of Assault GBH in 31 Boesak Street, Murraysburg on 09 January 2021. On arrival, members found the body of the deceased Berenice Jacobus, in the yard with multiple stab wounds to her back. Eyewitness reports revealed that the boyfriend of the deceased (the accused) stabbed her and fled the scene on foot after the events.

The accused was subsequently traced and charged with the Murder. His first court appearance was on 11 January 2021 in the Murraysburg Magistrates’ Court. He remained in custody ever since.

The investigation officers in both murder cases, Detective Sergeant Siphokazi Mafuya and Detective Constable FLD Macpherson were praised for the excellent results achieved with the hefty sentences imposed on the accused through their dedication and hard work that finally paid off.

The Western Cape Provincial management has commended the investigating officers for their dedication and commitment which led to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the accused. The Provincial Commissioner was pleased with the harsh sentences and hope that it will deter potential criminals from committing similar offences against our most vulnerable, women. This also demonstrate the commitment of SAPS, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Judiciary to bring justice and closure to the people of this country, especially those that are marginalised and found themselves on the periphery of society where gender-based violence and femicide is rife.

Source: South African Police Service

DURBAN – On 08 September 2022, Phumlani Mthembu (41) contacted her sister and reported that he had killed his girlfriend and was heading to Port Dunford. Esikhaleni police were immediately alerted and proceeded to Mzingwenya Reserve in Esikhaleni.

Upon arrival at the identified cottages, police found the body of Nokubonga Nomkhosi Zungu (35) on a bed with her throat slit. A knife was found placed next to the deceased’s head. A case of murder was opened at Esikhaleni SAPS for investigation. A warrant of arrest has been issued by the court however, the suspect is on the run and his current whereabouts are unknown.

We appeal to anyone who may have information regarding the whereabouts of the Phumlani Mthembu (in the attached photo) to contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Sifiso Sabela on 082 557 0712/ 035 796 8027 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App.

Source: South African Police Service

MTHATHA – An inquest docket has been opened and registered by Mthatha police after the body of a 10-year-old boy from Slovo was recovered by local community members floating in the Cicirha River yesterday, 05 October 2022, 20 metres away from where he reportedly drowned while swimming with his friends.

No injuries, and no foul play suspected.

Source: South African Police Service