Day: December 19, 2022

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be conducting zero pressure tests on the main water supply to a part of Constantia in Brommersvlei Road on Thursday, 5 May 2022, from 20:00 until 04:00 on Friday, 6 May 2022. This work will result in the disruption of the water supply to the area bounded by the Diep River, Rhodes Drive, Spilhaus Avenue and the Simon Van Der Stel freeway during this period.

Zero-pressure testing is part of the installation process for pressure management technology. Tests are done to see if there are any unmapped inflows that need to be taken into account before smart pressure reducing valves (PRVs) are installed.

Residents are advised to store water upfront in clean, sealed containers for use during this period and to ensure that their taps are closed to avoid water loss and/or damage when the supply is restored.

The City regrets any inconvenience caused. However, this work forms part of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy. Managing water pressure more effectively reduces the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage.

Source: City Of Cape Town

The beach was temporarily closed as a precautionary measure on Sunday, 18 December 2022, due to a blocked sewer.

The City’s Environmental Health Service has received water sampling results from Fish Hoek Beach, taken after the sewer spill, and can confirm that the results show that the water quality is within the minimum requirement for recreational activities as determined by the National Water Quality Guidelines.

As such, Fish Hoek Beach has been reopened and the signage removed.

The City thanks the public for its cooperation during this time.

Source: City Of Cape Town

GAUTENG – Xihluke Makhubele, aged 11, was found unharmed and has since been reunited with her family.

Community members are again reminded that there is no waiting period in reporting a missing person to the nearest police station.

Source: South African Police Service

The City’s enforcement services made 369 arrests in the past week – nearly a quarter for drunk driving – and issued 63 074 fines for various transgressions. The Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) recorded more than 2 000 incidents over a 48-hour period this weekend.

The Traffic Service made 121 arrests, of which 76 were for driving under the influence, impounded 110 public transport vehicles and executed 963 warrants of arrest.

Officers also recorded 55 940 transgressions.

Meanwhile, during its first week, Operation Exodus saw a total of 463 buses, mini and midi buses and trailers undergo safety checks. Vehicle checkpoints linked to the operation around major public transport interchanges saw 1 994 vehicles stopped, and 8 051 fines issued.

Law Enforcement officers made 187 arrests and issued 4 610 fines, while their Metro Police counterparts made 61 arrests, including 14 for driving under the influence, and issued 2 524 fines.

The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 2 263 incidents over the weekend, including 238 cases of assault, 67 domestic violence incidents, 29 complaints about drinking in public and 71 motor vehicle and pedestrian vehicle accidents.

‘The statistics over the past week paint a bittersweet picture. On the plus side, we’ve had nearly 500 public transport vehicles undergo safety checks as part of Operation Exodus. In spite of the unseasonal stormy weather, very few incidents were recorded that required a disaster response, and in part, due to the weather, there was a downturn in fires over the long weekend.

‘But with the good comes the bad, and the drunk driving arrests, domestic violence incidents and number of assault cases recorded by our PECC alone unfortunately reflect the dark side of the festive season. We’re also noticing an increase in calls related to self-harm. It is heart-breaking to realise that, during a time when the narrative is festive, so many among us are going through a very difficult time,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Source: City Of Cape Town

POTCHEFSTROOM – The police in Letlhabile request the community’s assistance in locating Johannes Letswalo (69), who is residing at Rietview Section, Letlhakaneng, close to Brits. According to information received, it is alleged that he was last seen by his cousin on Wednesday, 14 December 2022, at about 06:30, at his place of residence.

The cousin allegedly left him at home to attend a funeral at Mothotlung and upon his return later on the same day, Johannes was nowhere to be found. A search was conducted around the neighbourhood and the vicinity of Letlhakaneng without any success. At the time of his disappearance, Johannes was wearing a blue T-shirt, grey trousers and a pair of black sneakers. He has an average build body, with a scar on the head. Furthermore he is mentally challenged and is also limping.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Khothatso Singo of Letlhabile Detectives on 082 ?416 0670 or your nearest police station. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via Crime Stop on ?08600 10111 or the MySAPS App from your smart phone.??

Source: South African Police Service

THABONG – The Police are on the lookout for three suspects after a business owner was allegedly attacked at his tuck shop in Thabong on 25 February 2021 at about 23:30.

The Police are therefore looking for the African male person known as “SISCO” who can assist them with the investigation in this case.

Should anyone know his whereabouts and his accomplices, Detective Warrant Officer Gerrie Nel of Thabong Serious and Violent Crimes can be contacted at 082 806 8432 or Crime Stop number 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has welcomed the General Public Service Sectoral Bargaining Council (GPSSBC) decision to dismiss the application by the department’s former Director-General, Gwebinkundla Qonde.

Qonde claimed that he was unfairly treated. This follows a similar claim, which was dismissed by the Labour Court earlier this year.

The former Director-General wanted the GPSSBC to determine whether he was subjected to an unfair labour practice relating to demotion. The application was heard by GPSSBC Commissioner, PM Ngako on 02 December 2022.

Ngako concluded that the GPSSBC cannot adjudicate over the applicant’s dispute because it was found that the applicant failed to comply with the grievance procedure set out in Chapter 10 of the Senior Management Service (SMS) Handbook clause 1.2 and 6(a) when he failed to use the Grievance Form at Annexure A to lodge his grievance.

As result, the Commissioner said Council does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate over Qonde’s dispute.

“As a result the applicant failed to comply with the grievance procedure set out in Chapter 10 of the SMS Handbook, conditions that are peremptory. He failed to refer his grievance in a prescribed form. In terms of the SMS Handbook, the applicant failed to lodge a grievance before referring a dispute to the Council.

“The two letters of complaint that he wrote to the President was not in compliance of the grievance procedure as set out in the SMS Handbook and the Public Service Act. As result I find the applicant has failed to exhaust internal grievance proceedings before referring his unfair labour practice dispute to Council and as result Council does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate over the applicant’s dispute,” said the Commissioner.

Nzimande said he feels vindicated by the outcome of the General Public Service Sectoral Bargaining Council’s decision.

“This decision reafirms that the Public Service Act and the SMS Handbook, are the basic legal prescripts governing senior public servants’ employment in the public service,” Nzimande said.

The Minister added that it is disheartening that Qonde, having been a Director-General of the Department of Higher Education, failed to comprehend these basic prescripts.

“It is clear that Qonde was looking for something to tarnish the Minister’s reputation for political reasons. All those gullible media houses and other detractors who climbed on the bandwagon to try and discredit the Minister will take note of these outcomes and developments,” Nzimande said.

Source: South African Government News Agency