Day: December 29, 2022

PRETORIA, Dec 29 (NNN-SANEWS) — President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his sympathies to the families of those who died following the explosion of gas cylinders on a truck at Boksburg last week.

The incident left at least 18 people dead, several others injured and caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure – particularly a hospital near where the incident occurred.

“The nation’s hearts go out to everyone affected by this devastating incident. Such events take on greater sadness and tragedy when they occur at this time of year when all of us pray for safety and look forward to the togetherness and comfort of extended time with family and friends.

“In this instance, the loss of life is rendered more intense because some of the victims were hospital patients, hospital staff and children, while firefighters are counted among the injured,” the President said.

The truck driver had attempted to drive through a bridge underpass and got stuck underneath – leading to the explosion.

He has since been arrested and charged with multiple counts of culpable homicide, negligent causing of an explosion resulting in death and malicious damage to property.

“While we await the outcome of investigations into this tragedy, this incident does, like so many others, call on all of us to show due care and to avoid risk when we are out on our roads which we share as a public amenity,” President Ramaphosa said.

Families whose homes were destroyed in the blast are being relocated by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the damage to the hospital is currently being assessed.

The President expressed his appreciation for both governmental and non-governmental efforts to assist those in need.

“As government, we are taking all necessary actions to bring relief to persons affected by the incident and we draw inspiration in our own efforts from the demonstrations of Ubuntu we are seeing on the part of communities and community-based organisations.

“While these interventions bring us hope and light in our darkest hour, we must always live by the resolve to prevent such catastrophe from taking place in the first place,” the President said.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is on track with arrangements to disburse the January 2023 social grants payments from 03 January 2023.

In a statement on Thursday, SASSA urged all clients to make use of the multiple ways available to access their funds. They include the use of retailers and ATMs.

“Social grant clients with the SASSA gold card can continue using the same card as it remains valid to use at any place that accepts bank card transactions. The card can also be used at outlets nationwide that provide the cashback functionality, which includes Shoprite, Checkers, U-save, Pick ‘n Pay and Boxer.

“Older person grants will be paid first (Tuesday, 03 January) followed by disability grants (Wednesday, 04 January) and child support grants (Thursday, 05 January). As a matter of clarity, if the second day of the month falls on a weekend or public holiday, the payment will take place on the following work day,” SASSA said.

SASSA warned beneficiaries to remain vigilant of misleading information, criminals and scammers as the festive season draws to a close.

During grant payment days, there is a lot of transactions clients make to meet their various needs.

SASSA thus cautions clients to exercise care in accessing their social grants. This includes:

• Avoiding carrying large amounts of cash, but instead use cards for purchases.

• Check to ensure that they get their own card back after every purchase.

• Giving preference to the frail, the elderly persons and people living with disability in queues.

“SASSA urges applicants for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant of R350 to check and update, on the online platform, their banking details when required. SASSA will keenly monitor the January payments to stick to paying the right social grant, to the right person, at the right time and place – Njalo!” SASSA said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

POTCHEFSTROOM: Police management in North West province would like to warn unsuspecting members of the community to exercise caution when responding to social media advertisements as criminals are coming up with numerous tricks to scam citizens. The warning stems from numerous scam incidences involving social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp advertisements, circulating since the beginning of this month in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.

In one of the incidents reported on Tuesday, 13 December 2022, a 35-year-old victim saw an advertisement on Facebook of a kombi that is for sale. He made contact with the advertiser who alleged that he is the lawful owner. A meeting was arranged in Klerksdorp, where the prospective buyer met the seller and took the vehicle for a test drive. An agreement was made that the buyer will pay R91 000.00 for the kombi the next day and meet the seller in Wolmaransstad to finalize the transaction. The buyer, accompanied by a friend, met the seller in Wolmaransstad as per agreement and took the kombi for a second test drive. They stopped and gave a lift to seven men, who ultimately overpowered the buyer and his friend, tied them up and robbed them of cash and their cellular phones before dropping them off next to a road in Wolmaransstad.

In another incident reported in Makwassie, a 42-year-old victim communicated with a prospective seller of goats, after seeing his advertisement on social media. The men made arrangements to meet in the morning of Wednesday, 28 December 2022. The prospective buyer met four suspects at Boskuil, close to Makwassie and they overpowered and robbed him of his cellular phone and cash.

The public is therefore urged to be vigilant of advertisements on social media and to contact the nearest police station should they become suspicious thereof and advised not to carry large amounts of cash or pay money in cash during transactions, but rather opt for an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Source: South African Police Service

Operations at O.R. Tambo International Airport are back to normal after travellers experienced delays with domestic departures, as well as international departures.

“[The airport] is open to both travellers and non-travellers. Thank you for entrusting us with your travel plans, and we apologise once again for any inconvenience caused,” Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the airport was experiencing challenges with the refuelling of aircraft.

“The technical issue was due to the main supply valve supplying fuel to the Aprons not opening, thus causing rotational delays to domestic and international departures. As a contingency, a tanker was used to refuel aircraft.

“The airport management centre immediately sent out communication to all affected airport stakeholders, airlines and passengers notifying them of the challenges,” ACSA said.

As a result, 41 flights were impacted, with 32 of them being domestic, eight international and one regional flight.

“Additional staff members were deployed to assist passengers with queries. Terminal announcements on the public address systems are continuing to reassure affected passengers. O.R. Tambo International Airport would like to apologise to all passengers and their loved ones for the inconvenience,” ACSA said.

When Minister of Tourism, Lindiwe Sisulu, was made aware of the delays with flights, she engaged the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) and ACSA.

“On behalf of government, I wish to apologise profusely to all affected travellers for the inconvenience experienced. I have been assured that systems are now in place to resolve the delays,” Sisulu said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

UPDATE: Neo returned home and was unharmed.

The mother of Neo Mofokeng (17) from Dagbreek, Welkom reported her daughter missing after she attended the Matjhabeng Summer Blow event on 26 December 2022 at about 17:45. After she never came back home, her mother started to look for her but to her surprise a girlfriend of her daughter, who resides at Reahola, arrived the following day and brought the cellphone of her daughter. She related that Neo left them at the event to an unknown destination.

The incident was reported to Welkom police station and a missing person file was registered for further investigation.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the police tried to trace the boyfriend known as Junior but could also not be found.

Anyone with information that can assist to trace Neo, to contact Welkom police station at 079 886 5574 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or using MySAPS app.

Source: South African Police Service

The software for all prepaid electricity meters in South Africa will expire in 2024. Prepaid metering software must be updated or customers won’t be able to recharge their meters with new tokens; and will be left without power supply. The City is following a phased approach. Area by area is being earmarked for updating. Customers in a specific area will receive two update codes with their purchase when their time comes. If the City has not reached an area, and customers have not received the update codes with their electricity purchase, they are not yet due for the update. Please give us some time to reach your area and wait until you see the codes with your purchase. Eligible customers will notice they are due for the update when they make a purchase and see the update codes. City teams will be on standby in these areas in January and February 2023 to assist customers if required.

Customers in the following areas are able to update their electricity meters from 1 January to 28 February 2023:

• Rondebosch

• Newlands

• Camps Bay

• Cape Town

• Green Point

• Sea Point

• Signal Hill/Table Mountain

• Observatory

• Paarden Eiland

• Hanover Park

The City is making steady progress with its prepaid electricity meter software upgrade programme. More than 38 areas in the metro have already been reached and approximately 300 000 prepaid meters have been updated. Residents are encouraged to update their meters themselves by following the three easy steps.

We urge residents to assist their family members with their updates where possible, especially elderly family members and those with disabilities. Alternatively, residents are encouraged to call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 for assistance.

Do it yourself

When making a purchase, customers will receive two 20-digit update codes along with their usual prepaid token. Customers who do not live in the area that is currently earmarked for updating will not be eligible to update their meters yet and will not automatically receive update codes with their normal purchase until their time comes. Update codes will be issued with purchases in areas across the metro in phases in accordance with the area schedule (see below).

Customers may follow these easy steps to enter the update codes when their area is scheduled for the update:

1. Enter the first 20-digit update code and wait for it to accept.

2. Enter the second 20-digit update code and wait for it to accept.

3. Enter the usual 20-digit token to recharge units as normal.

Most customers prefer updating their own meters. Those who require assistance are encouraged to contact the City by:

• SMS: 31220

• Email: power@capetown.gov.za

• Phone: Call Centre: 0860 103 089

City teams are on standby to assist if required

City teams are standing by to assist households with the updates. Teams carry identification and work order numbers. Phone the City’s call centre for verification.

Frequently asked questions – Prepaid electricity meter software update (token identification update – TID)

1. Why must prepaid electricity meters be updated?

The current pre-paid electricity metering software will expire in 2024 for all prepaid electricity meters in South Africa.

Pre-paid meters must be updated or you won’t be able to recharge your meter with new tokens and won’t have power supply. Updates to the software of prepaid electricity meters will happen in a phased approach across the metro to ensure all meters are updated ahead of the deadline. Only when an area is reached for updating, as per the schedule, will customers get the update codes with their normal purchase. Customers in an area that has not been reached yet as per the schedule, will not be eligible to update their meter yet.

2. Which meters must be updated?

All prepaid electricity meters in South Africa. The City has 570 000 pre-paid meters.

3. By when must meters be updated?

By December 2024 and it will be done in phases.

4. Will all customers be able to update their meters immediately?

No.

City prepaid meters are being updated in accordance with an area schedule. Only when an area is being updated as per the schedule, will update codes be issued when making a purchase. Update codes will not be issued to areas not earmarked for the updating in a certain month and customers in areas that have not yet been reached for updating will not yet be eligible to update their meters.

5. How should meters be updated?

Most customers prefer updating their own meters. They are able to easily update their own meters when making an electricity purchase.

When a customer from the listed areas makes a purchase from 1 January 2023 in (and then subsequent areas on the schedule), two 20-digit update codes will be included, along with the usual electricity token as soon as the programme is in your area and you are eligible for the update.

Follow these easy steps to enter your update codes WHEN your area is scheduled for the update:

• Enter the first 20 digits update code and wait for it to accept.

• Enter the second 20 digits update code and wait for it to accept.

• Enter your 20 digits token to recharge your units as normal.

6. Will the update codes work on all types of pre-paid electricity meters?

Yes, as soon as the codes are received, but only when an earmarked area for updating has been reached in accordance with the schedule.

7. For how long are the update codes valid?

The two 20-digit update codes must be entered into the meter immediately after it has been supplied as no other recharge token will be accepted by the meter.

8. What happens if I throw away my slip, will I be able to get the two 20-digit codes again?

The customer would have to phone the City to get the code, currently there is no way to get a copy at a vendor.

Take a picture of the slip; or make a note of the two 20-digit update codes.

9. What if I can’t update my own meter?

City teams are visiting areas across the metro according to a schedule over the next two years. They started in Atlantis, Mamre and Pella and will move to the areas on the schedule over time.

10. How do I verify whether a person coming to my home to assist me with an update is from the City?

Teams will carry identification and work order numbers. Customers may phone the City’s Call Centre for verification.

11. If my area is not on the schedule, will areas be visited again?

We plan to go area by area and then at a later date revisit any meters that are not complete regardless of the area. This mop up operation is currently planned for late 2023 and early 2024.

12. I am in line for the City’s ongoing meter replacement programme (to replace old infrastructure), will the new meter be software compliant once installed? Would I need to update the code?

New meters installed will eventually all be updated but we are working through older stock at the moment and the older stock even though newly installed would need to be updated; the new compliant-ready meters are in the City stock stores now. Some of the field staff are already updating the meters if they are on site doing a meter change or site inspection.

13. Will my old unused tokens still work after the upgrade?

No, all old tokens must be entered prior to the update being completed.

14. Where do I find the work schedule for when update tokens will be issued per area?

The schedule is available on the City’s website here.

15. What should I do when my area has been earmarked for updating but I have not received my update codes yet?

The prepaid electricity meter software update takes place in a phased manner within the various earmarked areas. Please give the City some time to reach your specific area.

It is important to note that the system does not automatically issue residents their update token on the first of the month, but can do so any time during that month with a purchase.

If you only purchase electricity once a month and did not receive your update token, then the update token will be made available to you with your next purchase in the following month.

16. Will my electricity meter use more electricity after the software update?

Updates to the software of City prepaid electricity meters will not affect the user’s electricity usage in any way as it does not affect the meter’s calibration. If a resident suspects that their meter may be faulty, they are encouraged to contact us.

17. Will my electricity units disappear or decrease when the meter is updated?

No, a customer’s electricity units will not be affected by the update. However, should customers have any technical issues; they are encouraged to contact the City’s Call Centre.

TOKEN IDENTIFIER ROLL-OUT PLAN: KEY CHANGE TOKEN PROJECT SCHEDULE

AREA PERIOD IN WHICH KEY CHANGE TOKENS WILL BE ISSUED

Rondebosch January – February 2023

Newlands

Hanover Park

Camps Bay

Cape Town

Green Point

Sea Point

Signal Hill/ Table Mountain

Observatory

Paarden Eiland

Athlone March – April 2023

Manenberg

Bergvliet May 2023

Constantia

Diep River

Hout Bay

Plumstead

Wynberg

Cape Point June 2023

Fish Hoek

Kalk Bay

Kommetjie

Muizenberg

Noordhoek

Ocean View

Simon's Town

Tokai

Khayelitsha

Macassar

Mitchells Plain July – August 2023

Grassy Park September – October 2023

Ottery

Pelican Park

Philippi

Gordons Bay November 2023 – December 2023

Helderberg

Sir Lowry's Pass

Somerset West

Strand

Again: it must be noted that only when a specific area is reached as per this schedule, will update codes be issued with the normal electricity token when a purchase is made.

Source: City Of Cape Town