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Maile to visit Cemetery View informal settlement
Gauteng's Acting MEC for Human Settlements Lebogang Maile is this morning expected to visit Cemetery View informal settlement following a fire that destroyed shacks in Pretoria East.
“MEC Maile will use the visit to outline government's interventions to assist those affected. More than 2000 shacks were engulfed by the fire. MEC Maile is undertaking this important visit to ensure the safety, security and comfort of those affected by this unfortunate situation,” said the Gauteng Provincial government on Monday.
The MEC will be joined by the City of Tshwane MMC for Human Settlements, councillor Ofentse Madzebatela.
This as the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department responded to multiple shacks on fire in Woodlake Street in Pretorious Park on the morning of 21 September 2024.
“The multiple-shack fire was reported to the City of Tshwane Emergency Call Centre at about 04:07 am. The centre immediately dispatched multiple firefighting resources from Silverton Fire Station, Hazelwood Fire Station, Central Fire Station, Mamelodi Fire Station, Centurion Fire Station and Heuweloord Fire Station to the scene. These included two fire trucks, an industrial pumper, a mobile command unit, two rapid intervention units, a water carrier and a district commander’s unit,” said the city’s Emergency Services Department in a statement.
The City said that upon arrival firefighters reported that a large area in the informal settlement was on fire with multiple shacks well alight and many people standing outside.
Firefighters then started with firefighting operations and initiated evacuation procedures and the fire was extinguished at 5am.
About 814 shacks burned down and about 2600 people were affected by the fire.
“One male patient was treated on-site and transported to Steve Biko Academic Hospital for critical burn injuries. Another female patient with a critical medical condition was also treated on-site and transported to Mamelodi Hospital. A third patient sadly suffered fatal burn injuries. Gauteng Provincial Government Emergency Medical Services are managing all emergencies pertaining to patients in this regard,” said the city.
The cause of the fire had not been determined.
“The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and the scene is a declared as a hot zone and a crime scene.”
The city urged residents to be cautious and to extinguish paraffin fires with sand or a fire extinguisher and to never overload electrical plugs, among others. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Mon, 09/23/2024 - 10:31
Government urges caution amid severe snowfall and road closures
Government is advising against any travel on the roads hit by heavy snowfall that affected Gauteng, the Free State, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
While most of the roads have been cleared of snow and motorists who were trapped have been rescued, mop-up operations are still ongoing.
This after heavy snowfall caused havoc on the N3 toll route and other regional roads on Friday night, leaving scores of motorists, including truck drivers and bus commuters, stranded.
According to the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), the N3 toll route remains closed to incoming traffic, apart from the section between Van Reenen’s Pass and the vicinity of Swinburne and Montrose for rescue and recovery operations.
“Progress with clearing Van Reenen’s Pass is steady, and it is badly affected by abandoned trucks that are being cleared. Therefore, the Van Reenen’s Pass is still closed as rescue and recovery continues,” the statement read.
Both Wilge and Tugela plazas are currently closed to traffic, while the N5 from Bethlehem to Harrismith is open, though dangerous driving conditions persist 30 km from Harrismith due to melting snow.
“Travel on this route is strongly discouraged,” the GCIS stressed.
The R57 from Kestell to the R714 junction is open with dangerous conditions, while traffic is also flowing from the same junction from Bethlehem to Warden but melting snow is causing hazardous driving conditions.
The N11 route is open between Ladysmith and Volksrust. However, according to the GCIS, it is very misty through Majuba Pass, making it difficult to drive and citizens along this route are urged to stay at home.
“All passes in the Eastern Cape have been opened for motorists. However, government appeals to motorists to be cautious as the road is still slippery.”
Government also warned that affected provinces are still experiencing snowfall and heavy mist, and fog is limiting visibility.
“Citizens are urged to remain patient and cancel travel on closed routes.”
In addition, emergency teams continue to work on clearing the snow and restoring accessibility.
“Government will advise when conditions of the roads have improved and declared safe for use.”
The State, through the coordinated efforts of disaster management authorities and emergency services, continues to respond to the situation to provide the required assistance.
These include the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral), the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
Stranded road users
Meanwhile, the GCIS said all stranded road users along the N3 toll route have now been assisted.
“Government extends its appreciation to the assistance by humanitarian organisations for the relief.”
Emergency provisions and medical support are being distributed in all affected provinces, and additional air support will be provided as soon as weather conditions permit.
“The public is encouraged to stay informed by tuning in to local radio stations and checking government social media channels for the latest updates on road closures and relief efforts.”
Borders
Regarding ports of entry, the Border Management Authority (BMA) and its partners have temporarily closed certain ports as a safety precaution.
“However, operations have now resumed at all ports of entry that were affected by the snowfall, except for the Sani Pass due to the melting snow, which is causing roads to be slippery.”
Travellers seeking to enter Lesotho are advised to use the Ficksburg Port, Caledonspoort, Makhaleng, Boesmansnek, Monontsha and Maseru as alternative ports of entry.
“Those who are trapped in the snow must remain in their vehicles, signal for help, and wait for assistance from disaster management authorities and police. It is safer to stay inside your vehicle and wait for help.”
In addition, citizens are advised not to leave their vehicles to search for assistance unless help is visible within a reasonable distance.
“Government thanks all citizens for their cooperation during this challenging time and urges patience and adherence to safety precautions to minimise any further impact of these severe weather conditions. Stay home, stay informed and stay safe,” the GCIS said. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Sun, 09/22/2024 - 15:05
Tips for safer driving on icy roads
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has warned motorists to exercise extreme caution when driving on icy roads.
Severe snow and wet conditions have been reported in parts of the country, especially in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State.
READ | Government prioritises providing shelter for stranded motorists in anticipation of more snow
“The South African Weather Service has issued an alert for strong surface winds, severe thunderstorms affecting Gauteng, and snow fall affecting the Eastern Cape and some parts of the country,” the RTMC said at the weekend.
During this period, the RTMC advises road users to adhere to Arrive Alive road safety messages and follow the advice below:
Driving safely on icy roads
Matona
Sun, 09/22/2024 - 14:09
Residents of Mahlangu informal settlement face an uncertain future
Toilets are dirty and washing piles up after a month without running water
Municipality pledges to buy 100 water trucks to end its need to hire them
MEC takes heed of Umbilo’s Sydney Road concerns
KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has undertaken to escalate calls for relief on Umbilo’s Sydney Road in eThekwini amid worsening truck congestion near the port precinct.
The congestion threatens local business operations and disincentivises investment in the area.
The MEC recently held a meeting with the Umbilo Business Association (UBA) to discuss the revitalisation of the Umbilo business precinct for a thriving entrepreneurial and residential community, amongst others.
The UBA is a voluntary business association formed in 2010 with its membership comprising business owners operating in Umbilo, Glenwood and the Berea areas of eThekwini.
The organisation has over the years established various community and outreach projects aimed at empowering destitute residents from nearby hostels and informal settlements.
During the meeting, the UBA pointed out that the number of trucks, many of them superlinks or tri-axles, which enter the area daily cannot be unloaded or loaded quickly enough at the receiving sites to prevent illegal parking along Sydney Road or in some streets.
Rodgers commended the UBA for various community projects which include the revitalisation of Congella Park, the establishment of community gardens for the benefit of previously unemployed residents, and the establishment of some parking facilities for trucks.
“From a government perspective, it appears that the proposed public-private partnership will be a unique opportunity to revitalise the Umbilo area. This will ultimately create jobs and stimulate investment as well as ensure that the area is thriving,” Rodgers said.
The MEC also undertook to discuss the proposal within government structures in a bid to secure the UBA the assistance that it requires.
UBA Chairperson, Doran Subiah, said the meeting was most encouraging and positive for their precinct.
“There was a distinct synergy in our approaches to the solutions that will alleviate the challenges we face and ensure sustainable economic growth,” Subiah said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 09/11/2024 - 11:47
Tsomo waste water treatment works were meant to be completed two years ago
Work underway to prevent truck congestion in Richards Bay
A team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate will work with municipalities and stakeholders, including Transnet, to prevent truck congestion from the N2 highway leading to the Port of Richards Bay.
This was among the commitments made during a meeting held by the KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements Departments.
Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, recently met with the management and all categories of staff from both departments working in King Cetshwayo, Zululand and UMkhanyakude Districts.
The meeting aimed to ensure that the two departments work collectively to accelerate the construction of roads and human settlements for the benefit of communities.
In a statement issued after the meeting, Duma said the stakeholders have decided to act decisively as the issue of truck congestion is resurfacing. Other stakeholders include the Road Freight Association and Zululand Chamber of Business.
“In addition, we commit to work with Transnet and Richards Bay Bulk Terminal to ensure safe and effective movement of coal destined for exports. Our roads have been damaged and created challenges such as truck related accidents that continue to claim innocent lives.
“There is a special team of traffic officers, uTalagu, that has been assigned to monitor the movements of trucks. Addressing these challenges means that as government we must invest in the development of infrastructure to accommodate the movement of goods and people,” Duma explained.
A need for all stakeholders to work hard to improve the railway networks and tap into aviation and maritime sectors to facilitate the movement of goods, was also emphasised.
He noted that the province is not only a construction site but strategically located along the longest coastline in Africa.
“This means that our economy is driven largely through the transport and logistics sectors based on the two major ports housed in the province, namely the Port of Richards Bay and the Port of Durban.
“Both ports are economically strategic not only to the province of KwaZulu-Natal, but also to the national economy of South Africa since they are linked to the economic heartland of South Africa, Gauteng, via road and rail networks.”
The MEC said the Port of Durban is also a transit point for cross border container traffic for neighbouring countries - a gateway to Southern Africa.
“The Ports of Richards Bay and Durban are important contributors to international trade and a significant enabler for South Africa’s and the province’s economic development. We are working with national government to ensure the expansion of road networks - the N2 and N3, along with our ports,” Duma said.
Apart from speeding up construction of houses for communities, the MEC acknowledged that there will be a growing demand for human settlements and pressure on road networks.
He added that with Richards Bay Industrial Economic Zone being a haven for foreign direct investment and a site for energy infrastructure, the province must be ready to be the host of the 3 000 MW gas-to-power plant to be constructed by power utility Eskom. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 09/10/2024 - 11:28
Owner of controversial Tormin mine is in business rescue
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Protesters block R334 in Kariega after the accident
Eskom sub-contractor employee convicted of corruption, bribery
An Eskom Rotek Industries sub-contractor employee has been sentenced to at least four years imprisonment following his conviction on two counts of bribery and corruption.
Selby Magagula was sentenced in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court in August.
Acting General Manager for Security at Eskom, Botse Sikhwitshi, welcomed the conviction and sentencing.
“The conviction of the suspect is a positive step in our continuous efforts to fight crime, fraud, and corruption, and to maintain the highest standards of integrity within the organisation.
“We commend the coal company’s team for their vigilance, as well as our internal security team and the law enforcement agencies. Their efforts, coordinated and led by the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) Safety and Security Priority Committee, play a crucial role in supporting Eskom’s fight against criminal activities,” Sikhwitshi said.
The power utility explained that Magagula attempted to solicit a bribe from a truck driver who was delivering coal to Camden Power Station.
“On 26 September 2023, while on duty at the power station’s coal stockyard, Mr Magagula accused a coal truck driver of delivering coal mixed with rocks. He entered the truck cab and produced three pieces of rock, claiming they were part of the coal meant for delivery. He informed the driver that this issue would result in grounding all trucks, with three trucks already in the queue.
“Magagula then demanded that the driver contact his employer. The driver reached out to his supervisor at the coal transporting company, who then spoke to Mr Magagula. During this conversation, Mr Magagula solicited a bribe of R6 000 to allow the coal to be offloaded. Despite the supervisor not agreeing to his demands, the trucks were eventually allowed to offload the coal. This conversation was recorded by the truck’s fleet vehicle camera system.
“An internal Eskom investigation confirmed that Mr Magagula had indeed solicited a bribe from the hauler and his supervisor. It was also established that the coal delivered met Eskom’s specifications, contrary to Mr Magagula’s claims,” Eskom said.
He was arrested at the Camden Power Station on 11 October 2023.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any information related to unlawful activities, including illegal electricity sales, fraud, theft of coal, fuel oil, diesel and critical infrastructure crimes to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 11 27 22 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 09/02/2024 - 12:22
The Nellmapius Extension 4 residents say they weren’t consulted about the move and demand that the flood victims be removed in three months
Communal standpipes used to supply water to semi-rural areas of northern KZN
Get ready to groove to the rhythm of spring and indulge in a culinary and shopping adventure like no other at Rosebank Mall’s Spring Street Feast on Saturday, 7 September 2024. From 10h00 to 19h00, the vibrant space adjoining the mall on Bath Avenue will come alive with the sights, sounds, and flavours of this …
2,000 households short of water in Maluti-a-Phofung, says ward councillor
Eskom launches pilot electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Midrand
Eskom has officially launched its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL) in Midrand, Gauteng.
“This milestone marks a significant step in Eskom Distribution’s commitment to supporting the growth of the eMobility sector in South Africa and contributing to the country’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions,” the state-owned power utility said.
According to Eskom, the pilot project includes the procurement of 20 EVs ranging from light delivery vehicles to light trucks for operational use.
The pilot project also involves the installation of 10 charging stations at five Eskom sites across the country.
The other sites are Brackenfell in Cape Town, Mkondeni in Pietermaritzburg, Tlhabane Customer Network Centre (CNC) in Rustenburg and Marathon CNC in Mbombela.
These sites will serve as the foundation for Eskom Distribution’s long-term strategy to electrify its entire fleet by 2040.
“We continue to focus on our long-term strategy to deliver a competitive, sustainable, and future-proof Eskom to ensure energy security, growth, and long-term sustainability for the benefit of South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa,” said General Manager in the Office of the Eskom Group Executive for Distribution, Gabriel Kgabo.
By investing in eMobility and the charging infrastructure needed for EVs, Kgabo said Eskom was not only reducing its carbon footprint but also stimulating the local economy and creating new growth opportunities.
Kgabo highlighted Eskom’s support of the government to align South Africa with the global EV ecosystem market.
Key initiatives include the EV White Paper released by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition in December 2023 and the incentives announced by the National Treasury to encourage the local production of EVs from 2026.
Pilot Project Overview
The recently installed charging stations, in collaboration with Gridcars, feature state-of-the-art direct current fast chargers (60kW) and dual alternating current (AC) chargers (22kW). They are optimised for overnight charging of fleet vehicles and daytime workplace charging for employees and visitors.
The power utility believes this initiative will serve as a blueprint for the future rollout of EVs across Eskom’s entire fleet.
“It is one of the levers that will steer the organisation towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and will also contribute to stimulating the local EV market.
“The successful launch of this infrastructure is a result of the dedicated efforts of the project team within Eskom. Their work is laying the groundwork for a future where electric vehicles play a central role in South Africa’s transportation landscape.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 10:00
An Mpumalanga municipality says it has a shortfall of nearly 60-million litres of water per day.
“We want everybody to have dignified accommodation,” says ward councillor
Police record major successes in breaking syndicates, gangs
With recent successes in arresting members of organised criminal syndicates and gangs, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has demonstrated its commitment and dedication to fighting serious and violent crimes.
This is according to SAPS National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, who briefed the media on Thursday.
“We are responding decisively to the war declared by criminals and we remain resolute in our efforts to fight crime and anyone who threatens the safety and security of law abiding citizens and have thus adopted an aggressive approach in ensuring that we stamp the authority of the state,” Masemola said in Johannesburg.
Providing an update on the countrywide police operations, Masemola said the recent successes in crime fighting shows that police are tightening their grip on serious and violent crime, thus putting them one step ahead of criminals.
“Through our high density operations that sees the Provincial Commissioner of each province actively taking part and leading operations on the ground, we have been able to secure the arrest of 766 237 suspects for various crimes.
“These include 161 752 wanted suspects for priority crimes, including murder, cash-in-transit armed robberies, sexual offences, rape, car hijacking and firearm-related offences.
“We have established and beefed up cash-in-transit task teams, particularly in the Eastern Cape, where a number of them have been recorded in the month of July. In the past month alone, 13 cash in transit robbers were arrested in the province while six suspects were fatally wounded during confrontation with police,” Masemola said.
The police have also registered a breakthrough with the arrest of at least ten suspects linked to ATM bombings in Gauteng.
Eight of the suspects were intercepted in Katlehong, Thokoza, and Soweto in Gauteng while another two were traced to Senekal in the Free State.
“These arrests were effected with the assistance of our partners in the banking sector and key stakeholders in the fight against crime. These suspects are being linked to more than 20 ATM bombings that took place in Soweto and the East Rand,” he said.
Furthermore, a gang of 44 suspects were intercepted by Gauteng police three weeks ago at a liquor warehouse in Kempton Park.
“The suspects were caught in the act of loading alcohol worth R15 million into four different trucks. The suspects have already appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrate Court on a charge of business robbery,” the National Commissioner said.
Drug busts
In the last two weeks, a clandestine drug lab worth R2 billion was shut down in Limpopo where two Mexican nationals are among the five suspects arrested.
“In the Western Cape, R252 million worth of cocaine was seized at a roadblock in Stillbaai. A Russian national is among two suspects arrested in this case. In the same week, police also seized R40 million worth of dagga in Magaliesburg here in Gauteng.
“Mpumalanga has also registered a number of successes in relation to major drug busts. Between May and June this year, R4 million worth of dagga, R4 million worth of cocaine and R4 million worth of Crystal meth was seized in different parts of the province, including Nelspruit and Komatipoort.
“We have destroyed large quantities of drugs worth R2 billion in 12 months. These include cocaine, crystal meth and unregistered medicines. Through Operation Shanela, 21 161 criminals were arrested for dealing in drugs while 64 351 were arrested for being in possession of drugs,” the National Commissioner said.
The ongoing gang related violence in the Eastern and Western Cape and Gauteng continues to receive priority with the deployment of the Anti Gang Unit and specialised units in identified hotspots.
“Dedicated interventions are continuing and several gang leaders and members have been arrested in the past six months. These include 64 gang members arrested in Westbury. Thirty-four of them belong to the Fast gang group that were operating in Westbury, Langlaagte and Eldorado Park. During this period, 36 gang members from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal and Limpopo were convicted to a collective 350 year’s imprisonment,” he said.
In the last seven days, 106 firearms were confiscated during operations across the country. Forty of these firearms were seized in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Of the 106 firearms, 90 are hand guns, eight are homemade firearms, seven are rifles while one shotgun was seized.
In two years, more than 20 000 firearms have been seized from all corners of the country.
“In the Western Cape where we experience a lot of firearm related gang violence, 3100 firearms have been confiscated to date while in Gauteng, 673 firearms have been seized during tracing operations during a 12 month period,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 08/01/2024 - 12:16
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The Winelands Fire Protection Association reports that for every 1-degree increase in global temperatures, there’s a 29% increase in fire risk. This alarming correlation was evident in recent events as stated by The Daily Maverick in February this year. Between 1st December 2023 and 31st January 2024, more than 6,000 fires consumed nearly 100,000 hectares, …