Day: January 29, 2023

JOHANNESBURG— A councillor from a small Muslim party has been elected mayor of Johannesburg after months of political manoeuvring and legal battles for control of South Africa’s business hub.

Thapelo Amad, of the Al Jama-ah party, was voted in by the city council to replace mayor Mpho Phalatse, a member of South Africa’s largest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA).

Amad, 41, said he was “humbled” and “overwhelmed” at being the first Muslim to helm the country’s biggest metropolis.

“It marks history in South Africa,” he told the council after the vote.

He promised to make the fight against corruption his top priority.

Amad was elected with the support of the governing African National Congress (ANC) party, which holds the most seats in the council but fell short of an outright majority at the 2021 city elections.

Amad’s appointment came as a surprise, with Al Jama-ah holding only three of the council’s 270 seats, and follows months of coalition horse-trading.

His predecessor, Phalatse, 45, was removed in a vote of no-confidence earlier this week.

It was the third no-confidence vote the outgoing mayor had faced since September, when she was first pushed out after her coalition crumbled – only to be later reinstated by the courts.

Phalatse became the first Black woman to lead South Africa’s main economic hub in 2021, after the ANC lost local elections in its worst showing at the ballot since the advent of democracy in 1994.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

Coal-rich but energy-starved South Africa will not immediately abandon its fossil-fueled electricity generating plants as it transitions to cleaner forms of power, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Sunday.

South Africa, one of the world's largest polluters which generates about 80 percent of its electricity through coal, is in the grip of an energy crisis.

It has been blamed on ageing power stations, sabotage and theft of coal and spare parts by organized gangs.

Since 2021, the country has secured several billions of dollars in international loans and grants to support a green transition.

But Ramaphosa cautioned against "the perception that we are called upon to make a trade-off between energy security and a just transition to a low-carbon economy."

Addressing his African National Congress (ANC) party's senior officials, he said it was not the case "that we must make a choice between coal and renewable energy."

"Our energy architecture is 80-percent coal-powered, there is just no way we are going to close those power stations... just like that," he said.

Two recently built plants, ranked among some of the biggest coal-powered stations in the world, are beset by design problems.

But they will remain operational until the end of their 40-year life span, he vowed.

"We have invested a lot of money into those power stations," he told the ANC meeting.

Plants nearing the end of their shelf lives will be re-purposed for clean energy, he said.

South Africa's energy crisis has forced scheduled outages, ranging from two-and-half hours to 12 hours in total in a day.

Source: Voice of America

What residents need to know about planned water supply disruptions:

• Please store water in clean sealed containers for domestic use during this period.

• Please keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and or damage when the water supply is restored.

• Careful consideration has been given to the planning of this work to ensure it is being done at a time that is least disruptive to the water supply.

Zero-Pressure Tests

Zero-pressure testing is part of the installation process for pressure management technology. Tests are done to see if any unmapped inflows need to be considered before installing smart pressure-reducing valves.

Residents who live in the affected areas may experience low water pressure, and some may have no water coming out of their taps during this testing period. It is impossible to predict which areas or streets will experience disruptions.

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. The affected areas are:

• Strand

This work will disrupt the water supply to this area on Tuesday, 31 January 2023, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 1 February 2023.

• Sonstraal Heights, Vredekloof Heights and Belami Ridge

This work will disrupt the water supply to these areas on Thursday, 2 February 2023, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Friday, 3 February 2023.

• Suikerbossie, Hout Bay

This work will disrupt the water supply to these areas on Thursday, 2 February 2023, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Friday, 3 February 2023

Planned water supply disruption in parts of Gordon’s Bay

The City needs to install two control valves on the corner of Dennehof and Roos Streets in Gordon’s Bay. This will require that the water supply to the Dobson and Winslow areas in Gordons Bay be shut off on Tuesday, 31 January between 09:00 and 16:00 to enable the maintenance team to do the work safely. This will result in the disruption of the water supply to these areas.

Planned shutdown of the Blackheath Upper Reservoir water supply

The City needs to urgently repair a leaking 1 525mm diameter pipeline along the Langverwacht Road in Zevenzicht. This will require that a section of the pipeline be shut off to enable the maintenance team to do the repairs safely. Alternate water supply will be rerouted to the affected areas. The work could result in possible disruptions to these areas such as lower than usual water pressure and possible brief discolouration due to the rerouting of water supply.

The City will shut down the Blackheath Upper Reservoir from Friday, 3 February 2023, at 18:00 until Sunday, 5 February 2023, at 06:00. The City suspects that the following areas could be affected:

• Kuils River

• Zevenwacht

• Protea Heights

• Lifestyle Estate

• Brackenfell

• Ruwari

• Private consumers along the Link Road pipeline

The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience, but it is imperative that it maintains and upgrades its water supply infrastructure to benefit its consumers. Residents who experience continued disruptions after the repairs are concluded can contact the City.

Water and Sanitation: General enquiries

• Telephone: 0860 103 089

• Email: water@capetown.gov.za

• WhatsApp: 060 018 1505

• SMS your fault to: 31373 (free SMSes do not apply)

Source: City Of Cape Town

Officers have made more than 3 000 arrests over a six-month period; but a number of policing challenges remain, prompting ramped up education and awareness, particularly around smash and grab incidents.

The City’s Metro Police Department has seen a 59% increase in arrests over a six-month period (July to December 2022), compared to the same period in 2021.

Notable increases were recorded too in the confiscation of contraband, firearms and ammunition, as well as assistance rendered to motorists and/or incidents responded to on the N2 and R300.

'The increase in arrests and related successes can be attributed to a number of factors, including increased operations, both autonomous and joint undertakings with SAPS; ongoing and growing cooperation from members of the public who are sharing information about criminal activity, and our continued investment in technology and additional resources to amplify our policing efforts,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

In one of the most recent examples, Metro Police officers arrested a suspect and recovered a 9mm firearm and 30 rounds of ammunition in Hanover Park on Friday, 27 January 2023.

Officers responded to a Shotspotter alert, and on arrival, bystanders assisted with a description of the suspect who was tracked down and apprehended just a few minutes later.

‘The department also conducts ongoing education and awareness drives, whether it’s the K9 Unit’s public displays, or exhibitions and most recently, a pamphlet drive to highlight the risks around smash-and-grab incidents. During the activation, officers found that many motorists are still driving with handbags and other valuables on their seats or clearly visible inside the vehicles. We urge our road users, but the public in general, to remember that they too have a role to play in crime prevention; not only by reporting suspicious activity, but also being alert and taking steps to reduce the risk of falling victim to crime. History has proven that motorists are most vulnerable when coming to a stop at an intersection and often distracted by their cellphones or other means. Vigilance can go a long way in ensuring their safety,’ added Alderman Smith.

The Metro Police Strategic Surveillance Unit is a key stakeholder in monitoring for, and dispatching resources to address incidents of crime, including smash and grab incidents.

In the last six months, 171 such incidents were detected by CCTV operators, with most incidents occurring between 15:00 and 21:00

Jakes Gerwel Drive between the N2 and Voortrekker Road remains a hotspot.

The Department registered 300 theft out of motor vehicle incidents at intersections during the same period – these are cases where items are stolen from stationary vehicles, where motorists are driving with open windows, or doors unlocked.

The City urges the public to be extremely vigilant while on the road, not just at known hotspots, but at all times, as these crimes are opportunistic in nature and can occur at any time.

More safety tips are available here: https://bit.ly/401UuAl

Residents are reminded to phone 021 480 77 00 from a cell phone and 107 from a landline to report any criminal activity or emergency.

Source: City Of Cape Town

GQEBERHA - Criminals in Nelson Mandela Bay are feeling the heat as the men and women in blue continue to be in their spaces, leaving no or little room to conduct their criminal activities. During the weekend several suspects were arrested on charges of attempted murder, robbery, business robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

On Saturday 28 January 2023 at approximately 14:00 a security guard was performing duties at the corners of Broad and Swartkops Street, North End when he noticed three unknown males jumping over the wall. The suspects who were armed with a firearm and knives, confronted the guard and tied him up. They fled with the cell phone, security company jacket and hand radio. Later, that same evening at about 22:00, SAPS Mount Road members followed up on information regarding the robbery and arrested one suspect (30) in Matthew Street, North End. The jacket and the hand radio was recovered. A second suspect was arrested at about 01:45 this morning.

In another unrelated business robbery on Thursday 26 January 2023 at approximately 01:20 in Apple Street, Jacksonville, the complainant was sleeping in the shop when he heard a noise outside. On investigating, he noticed suspects attempting to force open the door of his business. Approximately six (6) suspects entered the shop, demanded money and assaulted the complainant and his assistant. The suspects fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash, three cell phones and packets of cigarettes. During the investigation SAPS Bethelsdorp detectives identified one suspect (26) and followed on information and on Saturday 28 January 2023 at approximately 11:00, he was arrested at his home in Jacksonville. More arrests are imminent.

A 38-year-old man was arrested on a charge of attempted murder following an incident on Saturday 28 January 2023 in Devon Road, Sherwood. It is alleged that at about 22:00, the complainant was inside his house when he was called to come outside by a known person. An argument broke out and during the altercation, the suspect fired a shot towards the complainant before driving away. No injuries were sustained. On Sunday 29 January 2023 at approximately 09: 45 SAPS Kabega Park detectives arrested the suspect at his residence in Sherwoord. A pistol and rifle were seized.

SAPS Walmer members also confiscated a firearm after pursuing a suspicious male on Saturday 28 January 2023 in Songololo Street, Walmer Location. At about 19:00 when the members stopped to question a man, he started running. While trying to evade an arrest, the man threw a bag before disappearing through an alleyway. The firearm was discovered in the bag. An enquiry docket was opened for further investigation.

Another illegal firearm was confiscated by SAPS Kamesh members when they arrested a 25-year-old male for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition. It is alleged that on 28 January 2023 at about 22:10 while patrolling Arcacia Avenue, Rosedale they stopped a suspicious looking male who was walking with a bag. On searching him, a revolver with eight rounds was found in his possession.

All the arrested suspects will appear in the respective courts on Monday 30 January 2023.

Source: South African Police Service

The SAPS management welcomed the various sentences recently handed down to perpetrators of sexual offences across the province.

The first case was of a 49-year-old male who lured 5 girls aged between 9 and 13-years-old to his house in Keimoes where he raped and sexually assaulted them during January 2020.

He was arrested on 29 January 2020 and sentenced as follows:

12 years for rape

4 years for statutory rape and

9 years for sexual assault of three victims.

The second incident occurred on 06 February 2021 at about 02:00 when the 36-year-old male accused broke into the house of a 19-year-old female neighbour in Van Wyksvlei.

He attempted to rape her while she was in bed with her child. She started screaming and the suspect fled but was arrested the next day.

He was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment suspended for 5 years for attempted rape in the Carnarvon Regional Court on 25 January 2023.

In a third unrelated csse on 10 September 2021, a 33-year-old female went to visit a male friend in Kamieskroon.

The suspect escorted the female back home and pinned her down near the river bank and raped her.

The suspect was arrested and sentenced on 27 January 2023 in the Port Nolloth Regional Court to 22 years direct imprisonment.

The fourth case of rape took place on 02 November 2019 at 02:00 after the 30 year old female victim was sleeping when a male broke into her house in Seodin Village in Kuruman.

He strangled her and forcefully raped her twice inside the house.

The accused, Gosego Ntidi (28) was sentenced on 26 January 2023 as follows:

18 years for housebreaking with the intention to rape.

6 years for attempted murder and 4 years for robbery.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola commended the investigating officers from the various Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units and Provincial Serial Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) unit for the outstanding sentences secured. Crimes against women and children remains a priority for the SAPS therefore no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that perpetrators thereof are behind bars and brought to justice.

Source: South African Police Service