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Bellville
Tygervalley Home Affairs office opens its doors to the public
Tygervalley Home Affairs office opens its doors to the public
A new state-of-the-art Home Affairs office, located in Tygervalley Shopping Centre in Bellville, Cape Town, served its first clients this morning in the presence of Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber.
The Minister officially opened the office earlier in the day.
The new office features upgraded technology that integrates a camera at the counter, eliminating the need to queue for photos. It also only accepts prior bookings, ensuring that there are no queues.
“We are guided by our vision to deliver 'Home Affairs @home'. This means that we are gradually bringing services closer to the people, including through our presence in malls. This process will eventually culminate in Home Affairs services also being offered at many more bank branches, and through online devices,” Minister said.
“The people of Bellville and surrounds will now experience the meaning of our commitment to deliver dignity for all. Every day, we are making progress, together,” the Minister said.
On Saturday, the Minister also opened a Home Affairs office in Mitchells Plain.
The new office is modern and spacious, with 250 seats (it previously had 50). It also includes upgraded technology like cameras installed directly at each counter, which eliminates the need to queue to take photos.
“This new office serves as tangible proof to the people of Mitchells Plain that Home Affairs is delivering dignity for all. The vastly improved facilities and technology will transform their daily interactions with our services.
“We have brought Home Affairs closer than ever to the people of Mitchells Plain and in the coming months, our plans to expand access to services through many more bank branches will take us closer still to delivering 'Home Affairs @ home,” Schreiber said.
At the time, the Minister was accompanied by the Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, and Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 04/07/2025 - 14:59
120 views
Operation Shanela nets more than 14 000 suspects
Operation Shanela nets more than 14 000 suspects
Through its high-density operation, commonly known as Operation Shanela, the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested 14 165 suspects between Monday, 03 March 2025, and Sunday, 09 March 2025.
“Through Operation Shanela, the SAPS continues to take a bold and decisive approach in dealing with crime in the country. These crime fighting activities include tracking operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, stop and searches as well as tracing of wanted suspects,” the SAPS said in a statement.
All Shanela operations are led by the Provincial Commissioner of each province.
During the period, the following arrests were made:
- A total of 1 870 wanted suspects were arrested. These suspects were wanted for various serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, carjacking, business and house robberies.
- A total of 185 suspects were arrested for murder, the majority of these suspects were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal (37).
- A total of 154 suspects were arrested for attempted murder, 72 more arrests than the previous week.
- A total of 235 suspects were arrested for rape, 96 of these arrests were made in KwaZulu-Natal.
- A total of 1 513 suspects were arrested for assault GBH during this period.
- A total of 166 drug dealers were arrested, the majority of these suspects were arrested in the Eastern Cape (43).
- A total of 2 176 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs, 650 more arrests than the previous week. The majority of these suspects were arrested in Western Cape (1 237).
- A total of 105 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms.
- Four suspects were arrested for human trafficking during this period.
- A total of 525 drivers were arrested for drunk and driving in the past week.
Under recoveries and confiscations, police registered the following successes:
- A total of 155 firearms were confiscated in the past week, 48 more firearms confiscated than the previous week.
- A total of 3 627 rounds of ammunition were confiscated; and
- 50 hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered during this week’s operations.
On Friday, 07 March 2025, the National Commissioner for SAPS, General Fannie Masemola presided over a drug destruction process in which R340 million worth of drugs were destroyed, this included cocaine worth R220 million seized during police operations.
General Masemola commended the vigilance and commitment of the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) and Crime Intelligence officers in the Western Cape following the arrest of two suspects at a storage facility in Bellville, Cape Town.
The arrest of the duo, a man and a woman, followed the discovery of 50 000 mandrax tablets and an arms cache including three AK47 rifles and twelve 9mm pistols amongst other firearms
Also, a shipment of cocaine worth R6 million was detected and seized at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, 04 March 2025. The drugs were concealed in boxes disguised as hair products.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the shipment was en route to France from Brazil via South Africa.
Police arrested a 37-year-old suspect for theft and tampering with essential infrastructure; the suspect illegally connected electricity. The team also seized 41 Eskom transformers worth millions in lost revenue during multiple operations carried out in Winterveldt, Erasmia and Diepsloot, last week.
“The police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 03/11/2025 - 14:37
49 views
Two to appear in court on firearm charges
Two to appear in court on firearm charges
Two suspects are to appear in court soon for the alleged illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and drugs as well as the possession of illegal explosives, Western Cape police said.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the 41-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man were arrested on Monday at a storage facility in Stikland where a package containing two kilograms of heroin was confiscated.
The arrests come as a multi-disciplinary team comprising Anti-Gang Unit investigators, Crime Intelligence (Counter Gangs and Narcotics) and Visible Policing Anti-Gang Unit members swooped on storage facilities and seized illegal firearms, ammunition, explosives and drugs.
“The discovery took place in Bellville South as well as in Stikland. The operation, which was the culmination of weeks of observing the movements of suspects resulted in the discovery,” said the police in a statement on Tuesday.
In Bellville South, police found three AK47 rifles, an R5 rifle and one assault rifle, 12 9mm pistols and two revolvers, among others.
“As the investigation continues, the possibility of further arrests effected cannot be ruled out. The efforts of the team have been commended by SAPS management as the Western Cape battles shooting incidents that result murder and attempted murder cases,” said the SAPS. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 03/05/2025 - 09:18
22 views
W Cape welcomes extension of SASSA-Postbank card replacement deadline
W Cape welcomes extension of SASSA-Postbank card replacement deadline
Western Cape MEC for Social Development, Jaco Londt, has welcomed the announcement extending the deadline for replacing the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) gold cards with the Postbank black cards to 20 March 2025.
This decision was shared in a joint press release by the Ministers of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, and Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, on Friday.
“My office has been inundated with queries and complaints from SASSA grant beneficiaries across the Western Cape, even though SASSA is a national entity and does not fall within the powers of the Western Cape Government,” he said.
According to the MEC, many of the complaints are centred on the lack of Postbank sites in rural areas.
“It is unacceptable that the majority of service points in the province are in the Cape Metro, with only a few in George, Vredenburg and Caledon, although we have received reports that the sites in Vredenburg and Caledon do not seem to be operational. The offices also need to be adequately staffed to deal with the influx of beneficiaries.”
He believes that mobile offices will now be dispatched to service rural areas, but there will need to be clear and adequate communication on where and when these mobile units will be in the areas.
“Our office can assist in communicating this schedule, to ensure no resident is left behind in this process.”
These are the sites where SASSA people can replace their cards:
• Boxer Langa;
• Boxer Philippi;
• Boxer Mitchells Plain;
• Checkers Hyper Parow;
• USave Bellville;
• Shoprite Bayside Mall;
• Shoprite Eerste River;
• Shoprite Khayelitsha CBD;
• Shoprite Gugulethu;
• Shoprite Adderley Street;
• Shoprite Thembalethu;
• Shoprite George;
• Shoprite Paarl;
• Shoprite Vredenburg, and
• USave Caledon.
Londt has called Postbank to increase the number of service points in rural areas and adequately resource other sites in larger areas like the Cape Metro where residents have been experiencing extremely long lines, while trying to replace their old cards.
“We have heard of elderly residents standing in queues from the early morning hours, only to be turned away. Many of our most vulnerable residents are spending money so that they don’t have to travel long distances to get to facilities that may or may not be able to help them.
“As a government, we have a profound duty of care to protect our most vulnerable residents. We must demonstrate this by resolving the current crisis swiftly and with humanity.”
He said the province will continue to monitor the card migration process, to ensure vulnerable residents – for whom these grants are essential for their survival, receive the best possible service from these national entities.
“I will also be raising this issue during a meeting with the Minister of Social Development and MECs from other provinces this week,” he added. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Sun, 02/16/2025 - 09:01
42 views
Minister Londt Welcomes Extension of SASSA-Postbank Card Replacement Deadline
I welcome the announcement by the national departments of Social Development and Communications and Digital Technologies that the deadline for the replacement of the SASSA Gold Cards with the Postbank Black Cards has been extended to 20 March 2025.
My office has been inundated with queries and complaints from SASSA grant beneficiaries across the Western Cape, even though SASSA is a national entity and does not fall within the powers of the Western Cape Government.
Many of the complaints are centered around the lack of Postbank sites in rural areas. It is unacceptable that the majority of service points in the province are in the Cape Metro, with only a few in George, Vredenburg, and Caledon (although we have received reports that the sites in Vredenburg and Caledon do not seem to be operational). The offices also need to be adequately staffed to deal with the influx of beneficiaries.
We have been pressuring SASSA and Postbank to address the flaws we have found in the card migration process, such as the lack of service points and adequate staffing. This is still a huge concern, as we cannot leave vulnerable residents living in rural areas behind in this process.
Apparently, mobile offices will now be dispatched to service rural areas, but there will need to be clear and adequate communication on where and when these mobile units will be in the areas. Our office can assist in communicating this schedule, to ensure no resident is left behind in this process.
These are the sites SASSA people can replace their cards at:
- Boxer Langa
- Boxer Philippi
- Boxer Mitchells Plain
- Checkers Hyper Parow
- Usave Bellville
- Shoprite Bayside Mall
- Shoprite Eerste River
- Shoprite Khayelitsha CBD
- Shoprite Gugulethu
- Shoprite Adderley Street
- Shoprite Thembalethu
- Shoprite George
- Shoprite Paarl
- Shoprite Vredenburg
- USave Caledon
Postbank must increase the number of service points in rural areas, and adequately resource other sites in larger areas like the Cape Metro where residents have been experiencing extremely long lines while trying to replace their old cards. We have heard of elderly residents standing in queues from the early morning hours, only to be turned away. Many of our most vulnerable residents are spending money that they don't have to travel long distances to get to facilities that may or may not be able to help them.
As a government, we have a profound duty of care to protect our most vulnerable residents. We must demonstrate this by resolving the current crisis swiftly and with humanity.
We will continue monitoring the card migration process, to ensure vulnerable residents – for whom these grants are essential for their survival – receive the best possible service from these national entities.
I will also be raising this issue during a meeting with the National Minister of Social Development and MECs from other provinces next week.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.
This SASSA Office Opens Earlier to Deal with “High Influx” of Clients
A community worker says she sleeps outside the office to secure spaces for elderly or disabled people
Learners encouraged to explore TVET colleges
Learners encouraged to explore TVET colleges
Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, has encouraged learners to consider the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges as a valuable and viable alternative for advancing their careers.
The Deputy Minister was speaking during an oversight visit to the post school education and training (PSET) institutions in the Western Cape this week.
Gondwe described the TVET colleges as crucial for job creation and youth skills development in the country.
The Deputy Minister visited the West Coast College Vredenburg Campus, and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Bellville Campus in Cape Town.
Gondwe’s visits aimed at assessing the state of readiness of higher education institutions across the country, ahead of the 2025 academic year.
During the visit at West Coast College, she encouraged learners to take pride in acquiring artisan skills as they offer great entrepreneurship opportunities.
“I am very encouraged by what I’m seeing at TVET colleges, I believe they are the future of this country. TVETs are producing artisans with much needed skills [and] also offer opportunities for learners to acquire future skills, such as robotics, AI [Artificial intelligence], and coding,” Gondwe said.
At the second part of the visit, students at CPUT expressed concerns about student residences and other facilities. The Deputy Minister directed the institution to work with the Student Representative Council (SRC), to speedily resolve the identified issues.
The Deputy Minister’s visit to the Western Cape, follows her recent visit to higher education institutions in the Free State where she visited Goldfields TVET College and the Central University of Technology (CUT), at the Welkom campus.
During the visits, the Deputy Minister has been accompanied by key senior officials from Higher Education and Training, and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
The Deputy Minister’s dedicated Help Desk has also formed part of the delegation, assisting with all higher education related queries on each visit.
The issue of funding and administrative challenges faced by the NSFAS was in the spotlight during the Free State leg of the visits.
“NSFAS needs to get its act together, in order to ensure that student allowances are paid on time with no delays. Delays cause serious challenges for learners; learners need allowances to eat and to buy hygiene products. This is important for their sense of wellbeing and dignity,” Gondwe said.
Gondwe embarked on the state of readiness visits following a plan of action, announced by Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane at the special meeting of the Post Education and Training sector held in January 2025, to establish the state of readiness for the 2025 academic year.
The Deputy Minister’s oversight is expected to continue in other provinces, with North West higher education institutions being the next on the list. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 02/05/2025 - 14:56
328 views
Khaya Majola Week – Day 3 Wrap: Lions Roar Back With Bonus-Point Win to Secure Semi-final Spot
CAPE TOWN: The defending champions of the Khaya Majola Cricket Week (for u19 players), Lions, had to wait until the third...
Pilot Project to Count Homeless People in Cape Town
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SASSA Accuses Media of “Overstating the Problems” at the Agency
“These negative reports have led to an unfortunate conclusion that SASSA has completely failed in its responsibility” SASSA’s Sibusiso Nhlangothi tells the Western Cape provincial legislature
How the City of Cape Town Intends to Manage the Passenger Rail Network
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New “Greener” Trolleys to Change Waste Pickers Lives in Bellville
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Castle Occupiers Removed
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Stones Thrown at Trains in Cape Town
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Disability Grant Applicant Collapses: SASSA Responds to Our Story
This is a response to the article published in GroundUp News on 23 October 2024 : Disability Grant applicant collapses in long queue at SASSA office SASSA Western Cape requested a right of reply as they were never contacted for official comment. Furthermore, the article fails to include essential context. In the article, it is …
Disability Grant Applicant Collapses in Long Queue at Sassa Office
SASSA’s Bellville office manager blames staff shortages
UIF announces extended operating hours
UIF announces extended operating hours
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has announced that selected service points will be open on Saturdays to render services to clients and employers during the month of September.
“A decision to extend operating hours at UIF service points and to ramp up capacity was taken in anticipation of increased demand for real-time services, after the Pretoria High Court at the end of August 2024 issued an interim interdict preventing a service provider from implementing a new contract for support and maintenance services to the uFiling platform,” the Department of Employment and Labour said in a statement.
uFiling is an online platform used by clients and employers to apply for UIF benefits or to register companies with the UIF, declare employees and pay over contributions to the Fund.
The platform is not connected to the main UIF system used to adjudicate and process claims.
“Due to the uFiling platform not having any support or maintenance at this time, its services was suspended. The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has since the suspension of uFiling processed more than 181 000 claims at service points around the country, totalling a pay out of R419 607 185,” the department said.
Extended operating hours will be rendered from 07:30 until 16:00 at UIF service points within labour centres during September month as follows:
• In Gqeberha, East London and Qonce in the Eastern Cape province.
• At the Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay labour centres in KwaZulu-Natal.
• At the Emalahleni, Secunda, Middleburg, Malelane and Mbombela labour centres in Mpumalanga province.
• At Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, Lichtenburg, Klerksdorp, Vryburg, Christiana, Brits, Taung and Rustenburg labour centre in the North West province.
• Cape Town, Paarl, Mitchells Plain and Bellville in the Western Cape.
Registration of employers
New employer registrations can be done through BizPortal, available on https://www.bizportal.gov.za/services.aspx.
The department has urged its clients to note that BizPortal is only for employer registration and will not be able to register employees. Employee registration can be undertaken at a nearby labour centre.
Registration can also be done by downloading UI.8 and UI.19 forms from www.labour.gov.za and submitting the completed forms to e-mail address newui8registrations@labour.gov.za.
Declaration of employees
Employers with electronic payroll systems may declare their employees by sending live payroll files to e-mail address Declarations@labour.gov.za or by visiting a nearby labour centre for services.
In case of a manual declarations an employer can download a UI.19 form from www.labour.gov.za and submit a completed form via email to uif.declarations@labour.gov.za.
Regarding contributions, the department said an employer pays contributions to the UIF before the 7th day of each month. Where the 7th day is not a “business day” such as a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, payments must be made on or before the last business day.
“UIF contributions are made up of 2% of an employee’s salary. 1% is deducted from the salary of an employee and 1% contributed by the employer.
“Employers who are registered for tax purposes and/or the Skills Development Levy (SDL), must pay their contributions directly to the South African Revenue Services (SARS),” the department said.
Employers can also pay contributions using bank details provided on the Department of Employment and Labour website www.labour.gov.za and use their UIF reference number as the reference for payment.
“Through queue management, monitoring of operations and staff repurposing the UIF has been able to adequately handle claim volumes around the country. The Fund is confident that by extending working hours it will be able to maintain the status quo whilst developing alternative online solutions for clients and employers,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 09/11/2024 - 09:51
262 views
Top Facts About Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Bellville
Cape Town: Cape Town: Table Mountain – Table Mountain is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and is estimated to be around 260 million years old Cape Town: Flora Diversity – Cape Town is home to the Cape Floristic Region, which has the highest concentration of plant species in the world, with over …
Police seize counterfeit goods worth more than R94 million
Police seize counterfeit goods worth more than R94 million
The National Counterfeit Goods Unit has led multiple intelligence driven takedown operations that has led to the arrest of five people and the seizing of counterfeit goods worth more than R94 million.
In a statement on Thursday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said it along with its crime fighting partners, remain relentless in efforts to disrupt and dislodge illicit trade in counterfeit and contraband goods.
The teams comprised of various internal and external stakeholders that included, among others; SAPS members from various specialised units, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI – “Hawks”), Department of Home Affairs, South African Revenue Services (SARS), Traffic, Metro Police Departments and Brand Protectors as well as force multipliers such as private security companies.
On 16 August 2024, police found and seized counterfeit clothing and sneakers worth over R37 million in a self-storage facility in Gauteng’s Doornfontein.
On 25 August 2024, police also seized counterfeit goods that included sneakers, clothing, watches and backpacks worth more than R41 million at a shopping centre in Bellville, Western Cape.
“On 29 August 2024, counterfeit sanitary pads, deodorants and other consumables worth over R4.8 million were seized at a self-storage facility in Mayfair, Johannesburg.
“On the same day, counterfeit sanitary pads, hair extensions, toothbrushes and other consumables worth over R9.3 million were seized at a small holding in Bredell, Kempton Park, Gauteng.
“The team also seized branded packaging, labels, machinery and other equipment used to manufacture counterfeit goods. Five Malawian nationals were also arrested for the contravention of both the Counterfeit Goods Act and the Immigration Act,” the statement read.
Furthermore, on 2 September 2024, police seized counterfeit shoe polish, deodorant, toothbrushes and other consumables worth over R2 million at a self-storage facility in Bonaero Park, Benoni.
“Police will continue to combat the illicit trade in counterfeit goods, protecting legitimate businesses and consumers who are subjected to substandard products that pose health and safety risks,” the SAPS said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 09/06/2024 - 10:29
218 views
Unleashing New Opportunities for Growth and Networking
The Bellville Business Expo is back for its second annual run, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Originally set for August, the event has been rescheduled to 17 and 18 October 2024, offering local businesses and working professionals an extended opportunity to explore growth avenues and expand their networks. …