Day: November 14, 2022

The National School of Government (NSG) and the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality have today, 14 November 2022, signed a Memorandum of Agreement aimed at formalising their relationship on the training of the City’s officials to enhance skills development which will in turn refine governance and service delivery within the Metropolitan Municipality.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by the Principal of the NSG, Professor Busani Ngcaweni and the City Manager of the Metropolitan Municipality, Mr Johann Mettler at the City’s headquarters, Tshwane House, Pretoria.

The identified areas of cooperation include amongst others, governance and leadership programmes, learning and development interventions, knowledge and information management, joint research on areas of mutual interest, impact assessments for training programmes as well as innovation programmes.

Professor Ngcaweni said that the NSG is pleased to conclude the Agreement with the City of Tshwane. “We look forward to stronger relationship with the City and closer cooperation in building a professional, ethical, and efficient public service. This will benefit members of the public who desire an improved delivery of basic services from the public sector, especially municipalities,” he said.

The City Manager Mr Mettler said: “We welcome this important Agreement as we believe that it is vital for partners in government to create and hold spaces for reflection, learning and joint problem-solving. This will indeed capacitate our workforce to execute the City’s development agenda and solve stubborn service delivery challenges.” Mr Mettler is prioritizing the professionalization of all officials of the Metropolitan Municipality in order to provide diligent and people-centred services.

Both institutions already enjoy longstanding cooperation with officials from the City having participated in various NSG conferences and training programmes. The NSG has also assisted the City by assessing its knowledge management capability. These collaborative activities resulted in the intent to formalise the relationship for greater impact.

Source: Government of South Africa

The suspect is one of at least 405 arrests made by the City’s enforcement agencies in the last week – he was caught with drugs hidden in his shoes in Hanover Park. In the past week, the City’s Traffic Service, Law Enforcement and Metro Police Departments also issued 85 681 fines during weekly patrols, while the Public Emergency Communication Centre logged more than 1 820 incidents over the past weekend.

In general enforcement in the past week, Metro Police officers made 134 arrests and issued 5 306 traffic and by-law fines.

On Saturday, 12 November 2022, officers arrested a 26-year-old suspect for possession of drugs in the Hanover Park area.

During a stop and search operation, officers found 25 units of heroin hidden in his shoes.

Later, when the suspect was booked at Philippi SAPS, officers discovered that he is out on parole for a previous murder conviction.

‘It’s an unfortunate reality that many people who are paroled end up in the system once more, and it poses serious questions about our criminal justice system, and particularly the rehabilitation of offenders, as well as opportunities to turn over  a new leaf once released. The City’s enforcement agencies are making hundreds of successful arrests on a weekly basis, and very often, the same persons are arrested time and again. We’ve said it before – there is no point increasing policing resources if the system as a whole is not properly integrated to effectively deal with those committing crime,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Yesterday,  Metro Police officers arrested two suspects for possession drugs with an estimated street value of R11 000 in the Gordon’s Bay area.

K9 Xena sniffed out 272 mandrax tablets hidden underneath the driver’s seat of a vehicle during a routine check – two suspects, aged 31 and 34 were arrested and detained at Gordon’s Bay SAPS.

In Bonteheuwel, officers chased after a suspect who started running away when he saw them, and then discarded of something while running.

Officers recovered  a firearm with a magazine and  three  live rounds of ammunition, and detained the 35-year-old suspect.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Officers made 159 arrests in the past week and issued 6 251 by-law fines. Of the total amount of arrests made Law Enforcement Advancement Plan officers accounted for 141 arrests.

TRAFFIC SERVICES

Officers conducted roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations where a total 74 124 offences were recorded. In addition, they impounded 115 public transport vehicles and executed 1 487 warrants of arrest.

A total of 112 arrests were made which included 101 for driving under the influence of alcohol, eight for reckless and negligent driving, two for defeating the ends of justice and one for resisting arrest.

PUBLIC EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTRE

The City’s emergency call centre logged 1892 incidents between Friday, 11 November  and Sunday, 13 November 2022.

These included 707 medical related incidents with 87 physical assault cases and 11 assault with weapon calls .

Source: City Of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town is committed to giving previously disadvantaged communities more meaningful access to coastal spaces that are suitable for the development of residential, commercial and recreational facilities. The Strandfontein resort area on the False Bay coastline has been identified for possible development. We are calling on residents and local communities in particular, to comment on the draft development framework for this future Strandfontein urban node. Once approved, this framework will be used to direct future decision making about the development of this node, including the existing pavilion area, resort, and surrounds.

‘Cape Town is South Africa’s largest coastal metro with more than 300km of coastline. Due to apartheid spatial planning the majority of Capetonions have been excluded from owning properties – be it houses or businesses – along our beautiful coastline. Unfortunately, this stark reality is still with us today. The release of the draft development framework for the Strandfontein coastal urban node confirms the City’s commitment to addressing this unjust legacy. The draft framework is now available for residents’ input. It proposes a mix of development in an environmentally responsible way so that those in close proximity to this area can benefit from future growth and investment,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

The draft development framework is informed by a study that was completed in June this year, with the primary focus area being the Strandfontein pavilion, located at the intersection of Strandfontein Road and Baden Powell Drive.

The study investigated four possible development scenarios and finally proposes a hybrid option which combines the elements of an ocean economy, recreation, housing and educational facilities.

As such, the draft development framework that is now available for public comment, proposes a scenario where the Strandfontein coastal urban node is used year-round, and not only in season. This could be achieved through an integrated mixed use development that combines recreation, housing, and retail opportunities.

The draft development framework for the Strandfontein node proposes:

A development consisting of residential and retail opportunities, including possibly conference and hotel facilities

Recreational facilities inclusive of a picnic area and walkways, and terraces

A public space for hosting markets

To rehabilitate the natural environment through stabilising the dune area, reinstating the riverbed and raising of the tidal pool wall

The above will require the demolition of the western part of the pavilion and upgrade of the pool and terrace areas, environmental authorisations and rezoning of land for development by the private sector.

‘This is an exciting proposal which capitalises and builds on the unique location Strandfontein offers. Set in a vast landscape with wide-angled views of False Bay, the distant mountains and sand dunes, the possibilities are endless. By re-imagining this node, we can see opportunities expanding beyond recreation only, such as housing and retail, while also protecting the sensitive marine and natural environment.

‘The draft framework strives to ensure public access, maximise recreation, leverage economic opportunities, ensure safety and security, financial sustainability and ecological sustainability. Strandfontein has the potential to be an iconic destination.

‘Still, this framework is only a proposal. We are now asking for residents’ input and stakeholders’ comment so that we can refine the draft into a final proposal that addresses the community’s needs and aspirations. Thereafter the necessary statutory processes for the land use and environmental applications can be initiated and development partners sourced. I encourage all to please read the draft framework and use the opportunity to be heard. We are interested in your views, and further proposals,’ said Alderman Andrews.

Comment as follows:

The draft framework is available on the City’s website

The closing date for comments is 14 December 2022

Send an email to Strandfontein.coastalnode@capetown.gov.za

Attend the public information day

The City is also hosting a public information day where the public can submit their comments, and ask questions for clarity:

30 November 2022

From 19:00 to 21:00

At the Strandfontein community hall

Source: City Of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town’s Health Department is warning against fake health officials trying to scam business owners.

The fake health officials attempt to force businesses to renew their Health Certification, claiming that a Certificate of Acceptability (COA) issued to a business preparing food expires every two years.  

The persons who claim to be working for the Western Cape Provincial Health Department Head Office threaten to close premises down and demand free meals from restaurants.

‘Criminals are finding more inventive ways to scam people out of their money and scoring free meals as in this case. Not only is this fraudulent and illegal behaviour, but many restaurants are still recovering from lockdown and can ill afford to be scammed in this manner,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.

City Health is aware of three cases in the Kalk Bay, Muizenberg and Bergvliet areas where the scam has been attempted. 

In all three cases, the local Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) who service the areas are well known and the business owners showed the criminals the door and reported the matter to the City.

In order to avoid being conned, business owners need to be aware that  COAs  issued since the updated regulations were published in 2018 remain valid unless  the premises has a change in management, is sold, physical changes are made to the premises and/or to the scope of operations. 

Only the City of Cape Town Health Department has the legal mandate to issue COAs to food premises which, when issued, are printed on specifically manufactured paper with a holographic City logo that prevents it from being replicated. 

All City staff carry sturdy identification cards with the City logo that specifies their designation and department they are working for.

In their capacity as City employees no one can request any rewards, gifts, favours and/or hospitality and do not have a general right to accept any of these.

The City would like to again inform the public that there is no charge associated with the processing or issuing of a COA.

Furthermore, City officials are not permitted to accept payment directly from clients and any applications that do require payment should only occur at a City cash office or via an electronic funds transfer into the City’s bank account – details of which are available on the City’s website.

‘We encourage anyone who has been conned or threatened in this manner to please report it to the police and provide as much information as possible so that those responsible can be brought to book,’ said Councillor Van Der Ross.

The City’s advice to businesses is two-fold.

When starting your business or considering any amendments to your conditions of trade, rather consult your local Environmental Health office or the City’s website to determine what exactly you need, how to apply for it and what costs are applicable, if any.

‘If you’re approached or anyone visits your premises and demands payment or any type of reward for any type of inspection or documentation, insist on checking their credentials and verifying their story with the local Environmental Health office. Business owners can also check the legitimacy of any documentation provided by a third party with their EHPs,’ added Councillor Van der Ross.

Source: City Of Cape Town

On Sunday, 13 November 2022 the Philipstown SAPS were busy with routine patrols. The team stopped and searched a white bakkie and the male driver.

Police confiscated 806 MK1 and MK6 cartridges from the vehicle. The suspect could not account for the cartridges and was apprehended and detained for illegal possession of ammunition.

The SANDF was informed and also confirmed that further investigation will follow regarding the incident.

The 53-year-old suspect should be appearing in Court soon. The investigation continues.

Source: South African Police Service