Day: November 22, 2022

Posted on

MEC David Maynier announces unprecedented school infrastructure delivery programme

We are doing our schoolwork! Western Cape Education Department announces unprecedented school infrastructure delivery programme

We are excited to announce that the Western Cape Education Department is undertaking an ambitious school infrastructure delivery programme at an unprecedented rate.

This programme aims to deliver 842 additional classrooms with at least 26 000 places for learners in the province.

This number vastly exceeds the delivery of classrooms in previous years, and has been made possible due to an R830 million increase in the infrastructure budget in 2022/23, and greater flexibility in implementing our infrastructure programme.

Unprecedented school build

This unprecedented school build includes:

  • 3 brick and mortar new and replacement schools = 46 additional classrooms (Moorreesburg High School; Chatsworth Primary School; and Perivale Primary School)
  • 5 new mobile schools = 50 additional classrooms (Klapmuts – high school; Klapmuts – primary school; Lwandle – high school; Tafelsig – high school; and Mitchell’s Plain – high school)
  • New classroom builds = 645 additional classrooms
  • 7 Rapid School Build projects = 101 additional classrooms (Delft; Atlantis; Rivergate; Lwandle; Wallacedene; Hout Bay; Century City)

The Rapid School Build programme is an exciting new initiative that brings together various stakeholders with the aim of developing and building 7 schools within six months to accommodate up to 3 200 learners. We are grateful for the assistance of partners like the City of Cape Town in overcoming some of challenges that we have previously faced in building schools.

We have already completed 164 classrooms planned for next year, and a further 510 are scheduled for completion by January 2023, with the final 168 by March 2023.

However, there are significant risks:

  • Social unrest, extortion demands and strikes which lead to delays in building completion: The WCED has ensured that all the necessary employment criteria, municipal requirements, and procurement processes will be followed, but all too often we see unnecessary and damaging protest action from individuals or groups seeking job opportunities and construction contracts or driving personal agendas. This can lead to delays in project completion dates which ultimately has an impact on the learner. 
  • The availability and delivery of building materials: We are reliant on all materials required for each classroom build to be available for delivery. Any transport delays, or shortages of certain materials could impact each build.

We must all work together to prioritise the delivery of school infrastructure for our children, so that we have plenty of space ready for new learners arriving for the 2023 school year.

Increase in teaching posts

Importantly, earlier this year we announced one of the largest increases in teaching posts we’ve had in years, with the appointment of up to 1 143 additional teachers. This means that a sufficient number of teaching posts will be allocated to schools in preparation for the completion of additional classrooms, so they will be ready to go when learners arrive.

Admissions 2023

We received applications for 117 270 learners for Grades 1 and 8 for the 2023 school year, of which 22 113 were received late.

As of 3 November 2022, we have placed 100 302, or 89.1%, of the Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners for the 2023 school year, and are in the process of placing 12 786, or 10.9%, of the Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners for the 2023 school year.

However, this does not take into account the extremely late applications that we expect to receive from the end of this year onwards. Last year, we received over 7 900 extremely late applications for the 2022 school year, with most of those arriving after January 2022.

For this reason, we are aiming to build many more schools and classrooms than previously, with double the number of new places compared to the number of learners we are still finalising placement for.

Appeal to parents

This is where parents can really help us: if you have not yet applied for your child for 2023, please do so immediately at your district office. Do not wait until January next year, as this will make it much harder for us to place you child timeously.

We would like to thank those parents who have already applied for their patience as we finalise placement of their children, and appeal to them to ensure that they have supplied accurate and current contact details to us. We are unfortunately still struggling to reach some parents when we have a place to offer for their child.

We understand that you will be anxious to have a place confirmed, and our officials are working around the clock to do so. Your children are, and will remain, the number 1 priority for our department.

We will leave no stone unturned in our effort to place every learner.

Source: Government of South Africa

Posted on

Western Cape Community safety on crucial role played by Law Enforcement Advancement Plan officers

LEAP officers play crucial role during minibus taxi strike 

The presence of 120 Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers during the recent minibus taxi strike assisted the South African Police Services (SAPS) and other City of Cape Town Law Enforcement Agencies to ensure greater visibility and prevent any further destruction of property.

These officers were strategically deployed at hotspots across the Cape Metro, and in Golden Arrow and MyCiTi busses. LEAP is an initiative of the Western Cape Government (WCG) and is run in partnership with the City of Cape Town. LEAP’s primary aim is to assist in reducing the murder rate, while they can also be deployed to stabilise areas where other forms of violence might be occurring. 

These officers 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.

These placements are backed by evidence and data, and where the need is greatest. The 1st quarter (Apr – June 2022) crime statistics show that while murder increased by 11.5% in the country when compared with the same period in the 2021/22 financial year, there’s been an 8,2% reduction in the murder rate during the same period at stations where the LEAP officers are currently deployed. 

LEAP also incorporates the Western Cape Government’s Safety Dashboard. This dashboard is providing real-time data to provincial safety stakeholders and helps identify exactly where the LEAP officers are most required. This strengthens our hand in anticipating where new hotspots may appear so that we can deploy the necessary resources – before crime is committed and lives are lost. The Emergency Medical Services data is also being integrated with the Safety Dashboard, to provide us with a more complete picture of violence and trauma in the province.

LEAP continues to prove their success, as between 31 October 2022 and 13 November 2022, LEAP officers effected the arrest of 428 persons for various crimes.

During this period, LEAP officers have amongst others:

  • Searched 17 636 persons
  • Searched 744 houses
  • Conducted 3 031 patrols in hotspot areas
  • Conducted 246 roadblocks
  • Searched 1 885 vehicles

Of the 428 persons that were arrested, 4 were for the possession of an illegal firearm, 12 for the possession of illegal ammunition, 9 for the possession of an imitation firearm, 249 for the possession of drugs and 43 for the possession of dangerous weapons. Confiscations occurred in the various areas where LEAP is deployed.

As LEAP officers work with a multitude of law enforcement agencies, they conducted 376 integrated operations with other City of Cape Town Law Enforcement Agencies and SAPS.

Minister Reagen Allen said: “LEAP continues to make life uncomfortable for criminals, which is exactly what we want. Criminal elements do not belong in our communities, as their sole purpose is to bring harm to law-abiding citizens. As the Western Cape Government, we want our residents to live in a safe and dignified manner, where they don’t have to fear any criminal.”

“I urge communities to work with and support all law enforcement agencies, including LEAP, other City of Cape Town law enforcement entities and SAPS. We have to work together if we are to be effective in our fight against crime,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.

Source: Government of South Africa

Posted on

Three suspects to appear in court for theft of copper cable

KWAZULU-NATAL – On Monday 21 November 2022, Hawks members from Newcastle Serious Organised Crime Investigation working together with Ladysmith Visible Policing, Transnet officials and private security company arrested three suspects aged between 24 and 32 for theft of copper cable.

Members received information about the suspects who were stealing copper cable at Bester area near Ladysmith. A joint operation was conducted and the team proceeded to the said area. Upon arrival, the three suspects were cornered and placed under arrest. They were found in possession of Transnet copper cable to the street value of approximately R150 000-00.

The arrested suspects were charged for possession of suspected stolen property and damage to essential infrastructure. They are expected to appear in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court today.

Source: South African Police Service

Posted on

Three taxi commuters nabbed with 48 kg copper cables

NELSPRUIT – Police routine patrols paid off when a minibus with passengers was stopped and searched in the N4 Machadodorp Road yesterday, Monday 21 November 2022 at about 18:20.

Two (25 litres) containers as well as two school bags with 48.23 kg of copper cables valued at R9 000-00 (street value) which was reportedly concealed beneath the seats was confiscated. Three suspects who reportedly boarded the minibus in Waterval Boven were said to be the owners of the luggage.

The trio, one South African national and two Mozambican nationals aged between 18 and 31 were arrested by the team of members from Visible Policing and Detective Services led by the Station Commander whilst conducting the 2022/2023 Safer Festive Season Operations.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the copper cables belongs to Transnet and it was allegedly stolen from the railway line in Waterval Boven. The suspects are expected to appear at the Emakhazeni Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 23 November 2022. They will all be appearing on charges of illegal possession of copper cables. In the meantime police are working with the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain the status of the two in the Republic.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela applauded the team for outstanding work done. The General further indicated that damage to essential infrastructure costs the country fortunes, and the public should expect more of such operations rolled out as law enforcement agencies address this challenge.

Source: South African Police Service

Posted on

Two suspects remanded in custody for dealing in drugs

MPUMALANGA – Armando Machume (25) and Daniel Francisco–Chivure (48) were remanded in custody by the Komatipoort Magistrate court on Monday, 21 November 2022, after they were arrested by members of Komatipoort SAPS on Sunday during stop and search operation at N4 Komartipoort.

The team stopped a Toyota Quantum White in colour and conducted a search whereby they found bag pack with two packets of suspected drugs. K9 Unit was called to the crime scene to verify the substance and the dog reacted positively. The estimated value of the drugs was R300 000-00.

The Hawks Nelspruit based Serious Organised Crime Investigation was summoned, they took over the investigation, processed the crime scene, charged the suspects, seized the exhibits ant took the suspects to court.

The suspects were remanded in custody and the case was postponed to 29 November 2022 for formal bail application.

Source: South African Police Service

Posted on

Provincial Commissioner cautions employees as police officer appears in court for theft and defeating the ends of justice

POTCHEFSTROOM – The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena firmly warned that police management will not hesitate to act against any employee who commits crime. This after Sergeant Oaratwa Kgomotso (35) appeared in the Ganyesa Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 18 November 2022, on charges of theft and defeating the ends of justice.

According to information, the accused who was working at Ganyesa Police Station, attended burglary and theft crime scene on Monday, 3 February 2020, and recovered stolen goods from one of the suspects, but failed to effect the arrest. He allegedly registered some of the goods in the exhibit register and took others. Upon becoming aware of the allegations, police management tasked the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) to conduct investigation and that led to summoning of the accused to appear before the court. He is expected to reappear before the same court on Thursday, 15 December 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner expressed his disapproval of the member’s conduct and indicated that the arrest will serve as a warning to corrupt employees that those who lack integrity and in the process tarnish the image of the Service, will not be tolerated.

Source: South African Police Service

Posted on

Police seek assistance in identifying suspects allegedly involved in armed robbery at mall of the north

POLOKWANE – The Police in Polokwane are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects featuring on the surveillance footage after an armed robbery took place at Woolworths store, Mall of the North in Polokwane on Thursday night, 17 November 2022.

According to the information, a group of armed suspects stormed into the Store at about 19:00 and ordered the staff to lie down on the floor. The suspects then made off with valuable items worth thousands of rands. There were no injuries reported during the incident.

Police appeal to anyone with information that can lead to the  arrest of the suspects or who can identify the people in the footage to urgently contact the investigating officers Lieutenant Colonel Richard Boshomane on 0798945501 or Warrant Officer Phaladi Makola on 0827492233 or nearest police station, alternatively Crime Stop number 0860010111 or report anonymously on MySAPSApp.

Source: South African Police Service