Day: January 10, 2023

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy is expected to visit the South African Antarctic Programme’s Research Station, known as SANAE IV, in Queen Maud Land.

In a statement, the department explained that South Africa has had a presence in the Antarctic since 1960 and has contributed to scientific knowledge in the area and “played an active role in the management and conservation of the vast continent”.

“At the base, which is managed and administered by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Minister Creecy will interact with station crew and also inspect the facilities used by the South African scientists.

“During the visit to the biodiversity hotspot, the Minister will learn about the threats of pollution and research into the human impact on ocean and marine ecosystems threatened by global climate change and earth systems observations,” the department said.

Meanwhile, the Agulhas II supply and research ship left Cape Town with the team last month.

“The scientific data that is collected during voyages is critical to the understanding of amongst other things, the impacts of climate change and weather information associated with extreme events,” the statement read.

On Monday, Minister Creecy was expected to visit the Princess Elisabeth Antarctic Research Station.

“While at the base the Minister will have an opportunity to learn more about the first zero emissions research station in Antarctica, which has become a showcase for best practice in the use of renewable energies to reduce the environmental impact of operations on Antarctica.

“The Belgians have expressed their desire to sharing Best Practice to improve the environmental performance of the South African Research Infrastructure in Antarctica,” the department said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

POLOKWANE - In an effort to stamp out incidents of vigilantism where people take the law into their own hands, the Police in Witpoort outside Lephalale, have arrested six suspects on Tuesday, 10 January 2023 for allegedly killing two men whom they accused of being responsible for committing robberies at foreign national shops around Senoela (Melkbosch) village.

On Wednesday, 04 January 2023, the local community members mobilized after the alleged suspects attacked the owner of one of the shops with a pepper spray and demanded cash.

The shop owner allegedly called for help and community members responded. Upon arrival at the shop, the alleged suspects managed to escape.

The victims were later traced at their homes in the nearby village and they were taken back to the shop and stoned to death by the raging mob.

A tactical joint operation comprising of members from Lephalale Crime Intelligence Unit, Witpoort Detectives and Lephalale POP Unit resulted in the arrest of the first suspect on 09 January 2023, followed by the other five on 10 January 2023.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has commended the reaction of the operatives that led to the swift arrests. "The arrest of these suspects should send a strong message to all communities that the Police will not be tolerant to acts of lawlessness," said Lieutenant General Hadebe.

The deceased suspects were identified as Duncan Mabila (25) and the other as only Steve reportedly from Zimbabwe.

The six suspects aged between 27 and 43 are expected to appear before the Phalala Magistrate's Court on Wednesday 11 January 2022, facing two counts of murder.

Source: South African Police Service

South Africa has issued a statement strongly condemning the events that took place in Brazil on Sunday.

Rioters stormed the Congress and Supreme Court buildings in the capital city, Brasilia.

According to media reports about 1500 people have been held over Sunday's riots. They came a week after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in after October's election that divided Brazil.

“South Africa notes that the majority of the people of Brazil accepted the outcome of last year's free and fair general elections. The actions of the rioters will not succeed in undermining the will of the majority,” said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

It said South Africa reaffirms its recognition of, and confidence in, President da Silva's democratically elected government.

Political consultations with Turkey

Meanwhile, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will host her Türkiysh counterpart, Mevlüt Çavusoglu, in Pretoria on Tuesday, for political consultations.

It is expected that the Türkiysh Minister’s visit will enhance political and economic relations between the two countries and deepen understanding of regional and multilateral issues.

“South Africa and Türkiye maintain strategic bilateral political, economic and cultural relations that were established in 1991.

“Bilateral trade between the two countries has seen a gradual growth over recent years. During the period April to November 2022, South African exports to Türkiye increased by approximately 18 percent.

“Türkiye remains a key investment partner for South Africa and has already invested in several projects with direct capital investment estimated at about R156.80 million over the past decade,” said the department.

During the Investment Conference hosted in March 2022 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Defy - owned by the Türkiysh based company Arçelik - declared a R317 million pledge towards its goods manufacturing plant in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

In September 2022, Türkiye was the single largest country contributor at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Expo with 25 companies, doubling the space it had in 2018.

Source: South African Government News Agency

MALAMULELE - The South African Police Service in Malamulele are appealing to the community for assistance in locating a missing woman, Thulani Chauke of Madonsi village.

The 23-year-old woman went missing on 06 January 2023, when she reportedly went to visit a friend in Matsakali village. Her friend confirmed that she never arrived at her home.

There is no information about the type of clothes the missing woman was wearing at the time of her disappearance.

Police appeal to anyone with information that can assist to locate her to contact the investigating officer Sergeant Jabulani Makhubele on 082 319 9723 or they may call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or share the information on MySAPS App.

Police investigations continue.

Source: South African Police Service

POTCHEFSTROOM - The police in Letlhabile request the community's assistance in locating Martha Maditaba Msiza (39), who is residing at Bafokeng Section, Maboloka village, close to Brits.

According to information received, she was reportedly last seen by her daughter on Thursday, 03 November 2022, at about 12:30, when she went shopping at Brits.

A search was conducted around the neighbourhood and the vicinity of Maboloka without any success.

It is not known what she was wearing at the time of her disappearance. She has a tattoo on the chest and at the back.

Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Julius Nkgoeng of Letlhabile Detectives on 076 129 3139 or information can be shared by calling Crime Stop on ??08600 10111 or MySAPS App.??

Source: South African Police Service

Llandudno beach has been closed while the tidal pools in Kalk Bay and Dalebrook were reopened yesterday. Read more below:

Llandudno beach closed until further notice

As a precautionary measure, visitors are advised that Llandudno beach is closed from Monday, 9 January until further notice.

There was an overflow from a sewer pump station after an ultrasonic level sensor became faulty due to a power surge caused by load-shedding. This sensor has been replaced. The overflow has stopped. This sensor helps to measure the sump (storage) levels at the pump station so that pumps can be switched on or off automatically to help manage the flow of sewage through this site. The City continues to monitor this situation.

Various City departments have been activated to respond to this incident.

City Health will be taking water samples on a daily basis for water quality testing until such time as the levels are within the minimum requirement for recreational activities as determined by the National Water Quality Guidelines.

Health warning signage has been erected, advising the public accordingly.

The tidal pools in Kalk Bay and Dalebrook reopened yesterday. However, the beach section between the tidal pools, from Dalebrook to Kalk Bay, remains closed until further notice.

The temporary closure is due to a sewer overflow, and the cause is still under investigation.

City Health has been taking water samples on a daily basis for water quality testing until such time as the levels are within the minimum requirement for recreational activities as determined by the National Water Quality Guidelines.

The water samples for the tidal pools have met the National Water Quality Guidelines and as such were re-opened on Monday, 9 January. Signage near the pools have been removed. While results show an improvement, the section of the beach between the two pools remains closed as a precaution until further notice.

The public is advised to avoid contact with the water in this beach section until further notice. Health warning signage remains in place, advising the public accordingly.

This is a precaution as contact with the water could result in potential gastro-intestinal issues and therefore any person who enters the water does so at their own risk.

The City apologises for any inconvenience and thanks the public for its cooperation during this time.

Source: City Of Cape Town

NELSPRUIT - Two burnt bodies were found at a dumping site in Casteel outside Acornhoek near Bushbuckridge on Monday, 09 January 2023 at about 19h30.

Police were alerted by a community member about the gruesome discovery and upon arrival at the scene, medical practitioners were summoned to the scene where both the male victims were declared dead. Alongside the deceased were three carcasses of cattle. The police are in the process of finding their families so that the two could be identified. The motive behind the killing is unknown at the moment pending investigations. A post-mortem will also be conducted to determine the cause of death.

Police have since launched an intensive investigation which will include tracing the owners of the cattle. Police therefore urge anyone who might have information that may assist in the investigation to contact Detective Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Digoro on 082 318 9925 or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively members of the public can send information via MySAPS App. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned the senseless killing of the two individuals.

Source: South African Police Service