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Nkadimeng to handover Van Schalkwyk Road in Sebokeng, Gauteng

Location: News

Nkadimeng to handover Van Schalkwyk Road in Sebokeng, Gauteng

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Thembi Nkadimeng, will be handing over the Van Schalkwyk Road in Eatonside Sebokeng Unit 6 under the Emfuleni Local Municipality, which is situated within the Sedibeng District in Gauteng.

This event will take place on Thursday and the Gauteng MEC of CoGTA Mzikayifane Khumalo, the Sedibeng Executive Mayor Lerato Maloka, as well as the leadership from the Emfuleni Local Municipality will join the Minister. 

The department explained that before the project was implemented, the gravel road often flooded during rainy seasons.

It also experienced sewer spillages, which hindered residents’ access to schools, clinics, and other destinations.

Furthermore, the uneven surface posed challenges for motorists, and stormwater accumulation made crossing the roads difficult.

The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), an entity of the Department of Cooperative Governance, provided funding for the construction of the Van Schalkwyk Road through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).

According to the department, the road covers 3.46 kilometres by 6 metres wide tarred road. 

This project resulted in the construction of a tarred road that is complete with concrete-paved sidewalks and efficient stormwater channels.

The project also benefitted a total number of 4 899 households.

Additionally, the construction of the road created work opportunities for 23 residents and enhanced connectivity and safety for all. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Wed, 04/17/2024 - 10:58

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Operation Shanela nets over 500 000 suspects

Location: News

Operation Shanela nets over 500 000 suspects

Police Minister Bheki Cele says 551 506 suspects have been arrested for various crimes across the country since May 2023 when Operation Shanela was introduced.

“Over 500 000 suspected criminals have been removed from society  and brought before the courts to answer for their alleged crimes,” Cele said.

Addressing media in Pretoria on Sunday on the Police Take Down Successes of Police Counter Operations , Cele said police on the ground are each week pushing back on crime through high density operations in identified high crime areas across the country through Operation Shanela.

“Officers in all nine provinces, led by the respective Provincial Commissioners, have conducted almost 70 000 (69 468) high density crime prevention and combating operations in the last 11 months,” Cele said.

The countrywide high-density operations have resulted in the arrest of 8 563 suspected rapists and 6 045 murder suspects.

“[A total of] 4 410 suspects have been arrested for attempted murder. Police officers have arrested 63 573 assault GBH [grievous bodily harm] suspects and 37 333 suspects accused of common assault.

“[A total of] 41 191 suspects have been arrested for the Contravention of the Immigration Act and were found to be in the country illegally, [while] 16 073 drunk drivers were taken off our roads and arrested through various roadblocks and stop-and-searches during simultaneous countrywide operations.

 “[A total of] 2 819 illegal miners involved in illicit mining were also caught and taken through the court processes,” Cele said.

Under operation ‘Vala umgodi’, a multidisciplinary operation involving various government departments such as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, 3 298 illegal miners were arrested.

Cele said 1 028 hijacking suspects have been arrested over the past 11 months and 3 670 suspects were nabbed and face business burglary charges, while a further 10 743 suspects were arrested for breaking and entering into houses.  

“Working jointly with local, provincial and national traffic police and other sister departments, the focus of Operation Shanela remains the prevention of crime,” the Minister said.

Over 150 suspects shot and killed by police

Cele said over 150 suspects were shot and killed from April 2023 to date.

This figure, according to Cele, includes the September 2023 fatal shooting of 19 cash-in-transit (CIT) suspects in Makhado, Limpopo, who engaged in a gun battle with police instead of surrendering.

Cele said while it is the aim of the police to arrest suspects, some heavily armed suspected criminals choose to engage the police in a gun battle and police respond accordingly.

“Police have and will come out on top during these takedowns. In April 2023, 10 heavily armed CIT-related robbers were shot and killed during a confrontation with police in Sebokeng in Gauteng province,” Cele said.

He noted that the kidnapping of members of the public and influential individuals, as well as businesspersons, remains a concern.

“The responses by the police to this crime is, however, encouraging and sizable inroads are being made,” he said.

The Minister said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has arrested 62 suspects involved in kidnappings for ransom from April to date.

“Police operations have also led to the arrest of 55 suspects for the kidnapping of Chinese nationals in the country. Five suspects have been arrested for their role in the kidnapping of Mozambican nationals.

“The DPCI has also undertaken significant takedown operations targeting various criminal syndicates in the past 11 months.

“These operations have resulted in the interception of 14 identified targets across a range of illicit activities including theft, fraud, drug trafficking, money laundering and contraventions of financial regulations.”

Assets, with an estimated value of R6.2 million, were seized from April 2023 to date. Sixteen drug labs, with drugs valued over R161 million, were also shut down during this time.

Additionally, 20 suspects were apprehended in connection with drug-related offences.

Cele said in separate operations targeting narcotics, led by the DPCI, drugs valued at over R506 million were taken out of circulation and 148 suspects were apprehended through policing operations.

“Added to the work of the DPCI, the Organised Crime Unit -- within the Detectives of the SAPS -- conducted numerous multi-disciplinary takedown operations focusing on drugs. Illicit substances such as mandrax, cocaine, heroin and magic mushrooms, with an estimated street value of R121 700 000, were seized,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Sun, 04/07/2024 - 12:16

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Task team established to clear alien invasive plants in Vaal River

Location: News

Task team established to clear alien invasive plants in Vaal River

The Ministers of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, and Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, have established a Technical Task Team to identify interventions with clear outcomes to manage the clearing of alien invasive plants at the Vaal River.

This follows public concerns relating to the use of the chemical, glyphosate, to clear alien invasive plants from the Vaal River by Rand Water.

In a joint statement, the departments said the task team, led by the Directors-General of the two departments and Chief Executive Officer of Rand Water, have identified immediate short- and long-term interventions with clear outcomes to manage the situation. 

The immediate short-term interventions identified by the task team include the revision of the integrated control approach, which will assess the use of an herbicide that is registered with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. 

In the medium-term, compliance and enforcement interventions will be intensified against the sources of pollution that are driving this situation, while the long-term interventions include the review of the Vaal River Catchment Strategy relating to invasive alien aquatic species, in order to implement a strategy that will holistically address the situation. 

“Lastly, the refurbishment of the Rietspruit, Sebokeng and Leeukuil Wastewater Treatment Works will be fast-tracked to reduce pollution that is also contributing to the high eutrophication of the Vaal River System. 

“Multiple control strategies deployed simultaneously (biological, chemical and manual removal of alien invasives) are currently under investigation by the task team since a sustainable solution is required to manage the situation,” the departments said. 

The spraying of glyphosate over water hyacinth choking up the Vaal River has been stopped due to safety concerns. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 03/05/2024 - 10:18

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Gauteng officially launches school of arts

Location: News

Gauteng officially launches school of arts

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has officially launched Khutlo-Tharo Performing and Creative Arts School of Specialisation in Sebokeng on Thursday, with a focus on Research and Innovation. 

The Schools of Specialisation Programme continues to be a pioneering initiative by the Gauteng Department of Education, with Khutlo-Thato marking the 35th School of Specialisation to be launched in Gauteng.

“As we reflect on the journey thus far, it is clear that the Schools of Specialisation Programme has become an integral part of Gauteng's educational legacy. Through collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to excellence, Gauteng continues to strive for greatness.

“We take pride in Khutlo-Tharo continuing to be a beacon of hope in this community and beyond, providing underprivileged learners with opportunities to explore and develop their creative talents that might otherwise have remained dormant within the confines of traditional education,” the Gauteng Education Department said. 

In recognising the integral role of the arts in 21st-century education, the department said that the widely acknowledged STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education yields numerous benefits, including enhanced creativity, academic performance, motor skills, decision-making abilities, visual learning, and overall learning experiences. 

By infusing arts into STEAM framework, learners are offered a fresh perspective on traditional subjects, fostering engagement and allowing them to explore diverse fields in a conducive and nurturing environment. 

According to the department, this approach not only opens pathways to artistic careers but also prepares learners for success in more conventional professions, including those in Maths, Science and Engineering, further expanding learners' options and opportunities for their future and emphasising the Schools of Specialisation Programme aim of addressing unemployment. 

The school has excelled in the arts, earning multiple accolades in music over the years, while also demonstrating resilience in achieving excellence in matric results. Since 2018, a steady increased has been witnessed, culminating in a commendable 90.8% pass rate in 2023.

During the launch, learners demonstrated how there is Science in Art. The launch was also filled with amazing theatrical, entertaining and musical acts, which showed an extensive level of dedication from learners. The school also promotes entrepreneurship, with learners selling jewellery, artworks and ornaments - all crafted and made by them.

“Indeed, we envision a transformative educational journey that nurtures and challenges learners' technical, creative, and academic talents. We are committed to dispelling stereotypes associated with arts education and demonstrating the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
 
“Our goal is to cultivate well-rounded citizens who will contribute meaningfully to our society and beyond, and it is the learners of Khutlo-Tharo who will be the trailblazers who turn these possibilities into reality. We look forward to embarking on this journey of growth, innovation and empowerment alongside our learners, staff and community,” Chiloane said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Fri, 03/01/2024 - 10:52

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Progress made in upgrading Emfuleni critical water infrastructure

Location: News

Progress made in upgrading Emfuleni critical water infrastructure

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the repairs and upgrade of critical bulk water infrastructure such as pipelines and pump stations in the Emfuleni Local Municipality.

Mchunu, who accompanied President Cyril Ramaphosa on an oversight visit to Emfuleni on Friday, acknowledged that at no stage in the past had government reached this level of cleaning up of sewers and fixing sanitation and water infrastructure.

“It’s the first time we’ve reached this level. Yesterday there was a meeting, first of its kind, convened by our special advisor, bringing in Rand Water, Emfuleni Local Municipality, provincial government and stakeholders; bringing them on board to make sure that whatever we have achieved and all the progress, cannot be reversed, but can only be taken up,” Mchunu said. 

In order to prevent reversing, Mchunu said, Emfuleni must appoint a water and sanitation service provider under them, that will to do the job of water and sanitation services for the people of Emfuleni, at a required quality and level. 

“They are seeking Rand Water to do that job as a service provider to them, instead of them doing it themselves because they have no capacity [and] I’ve seen them with my eyes. They are trying to catch up, but it is not really doable in the foreseeable future. That’s guaranteed; this report will come to us on 15 November to say we agreed,” Mchunu said.

President Ramaphosa led an oversight visit by government to the Emfuleni Local Municipality in Gauteng. 

The municipality incorporates areas including Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Sharpeville, Sebokeng, Boipatong and others. 

The economically and socially important Vaal River also flows through this area.

Joined by a number of Ministers, including Mchunu, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and provincial and municipal leadership - the President assessed progress in improvements to service delivery, as well as challenges that remain.

The municipality has faced difficulties in the provision of water services, leading the Department of Water and Sanitation to intervene to upgrade critical bulk pipelines and pump stations infrastructure.

The President’s visit took place in the context of the District Development Model (DDM), which aims to improve cooperative governance through integrated intergovernmental planning and budgeting.

It is also a fulfilment of a commitment made by the President that he would visit all provinces as part of the “Leave No One Behind” District Development Model series of Presidential Izimbizo.

During the oversight, the President visited Sebokeng Waste Water Treatment Plant, Evaton West Pump Station, and later held an engagement with local stakeholders at Vereeniging Community Hall. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Fri, 10/27/2023 - 14:28

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