CRIME PREVENTION WARDENS READY TO PROTECT TOWNSHIPS
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has officially launched a new force to protect residents, especially in townships and informal settlements.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza
Lesufi has officially launched a new force to protect residents, especially in townships and informal settlements. Crime Prevention Wardens will work with SAPS, private security, and other law enforcement agencies to prevent crime and lawlessness.
The launch took place at Giant Stadium, Soshanguve, where 3 000 Crime Prevention Wardens have been recruited to support wardbased policing.
High-speed vehicles, drones, and helicopters will be used by the wardens to patrol the province’s crime hot spots. Premier Lesufi announced that they will add almost 8 thousand CCTV cameras across Gauteng in the next few days.
“With these helicopters, cars, ambulances no one will run away from us. We will chase criminals wherever they are. They can face justice” Lesufi warns criminals. Lesufi assured residents of Gauteng
that starting from Monday, the Crime Prevention Wardens will patrol the streets of Gauteng. The newly recruited Crime Prevention Wardens finished training in April. The wardens will invade Gauteng Wards as force multipliers in the fight against crime & lawlessness as committed by Premier Panyaza Lesufi.
The roles and responsibilities of Crime Prevention Wardens (CPWs) include:
1. Ensuring police visibility at the ward level, working closely with Community Patrollers to educate the public about ward-based policing.
2. Form partnerships with schools across the province to address criminal elements in and outside the school precincts.
3. Providing the necessary support and timely response to crime incidents in Gauteng schools.
4. Eradicating “lawlessness” through heightened law enforcement operations and preventing illegal land occupation, which extends to damage to state infrastructure.
Crime Prevention Wardens (CPWs) enhance visibility through patrol operations at the ward level across Gauteng communities. They will augment law enforcement’s work in the fight against crime at the ward level. They will initially focus on 361 Wards, and
Wardens will work with SAPS, private security, and other law enforcement agencies
later expand across Gauteng.
Crime Prevention Wardens will be recognised as Peace Officers upon completion of their training programme following section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act (Act No. 51 of 1977).
They may arrest any person who commits
or attempts to commit any offence in their presence and without a warrant.
WORDS
wind.”
According to the Gauteng Provincial Government, crime is its number one enemy. The Crime Prevention Wardens have been introduced as a new Crime Busting Unit, Premier Lesufi declared.
Spokesperson for BOSA, told Tshwane Bulletin that Mokgalapa is directly involved in campaigns nationally and provincially.
“Mokgalapa is delighted to join the organisation since he will work with communities to improve their lives. The party’s model is to work with communities and elect public representatives directly”, Munyai said.
” Further, Mokgalapa’s leadership skills, international networks, and local community connections are all valuable contributions.”
Former Tshwane Mayor Stevens Mokgalapa has joined (BOSA) Build One South Africa party led by Mmusi Maimane. As a result of this decision, he has announced his departure from the Democratic Alliance which he joined in 1999 and left in October 2020.
The former member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), served as a Member of the
National Assembly from 2009 to 2019.
Before being elected to the National Assembly, Mokgalapa was a Tshwane Municipality councillor for nine years.
Former mayor left the DA after an audio recording of his alleged sex scandal became viral.
Mokgalapa joined Build One South Africa in September 2022 and is the Board chair, member of the national executive and head of international relations.
Emmanuel Munyai, Regional
Munyai said that Mokgalapa’s 20-year experience as a public counsellor and Parliamentarian has benefitted the organisation.
Since joining BOSA, Mokgalapa has participated in different campaigns aimed at growing the party’s membership and engaging community members. The goal is to ensure that everyone benefits from the change.
Having been born in Winterveldt, Stevens Mokgalapa first served as a Regional Executive Member in 2000 and later became Branch Chairperson and Township Strategy Member.
Tshwane Bulletin proudly displays the “FAIR” stamp of the Press Council of South Africa, indicating our commitment to adhere to the Code of Ethics for Print and online media which prescribes that our reportage is truthful, accurate and fair. Should you wish to lodge a complaint about our news coverage, please lodge a complaint on the Press Council’s website, www.presscouncil.org.za or email the complaint to enquiries@ombudsman.org.za. Contact the Press Council on 011 4843612.
There are five suspects being investigated by the Rietgat SAPS who are believed to have been involved in the mob killing of a 22-year-old known “thug” near Jukulyn on Friday.
Investigations indicate that the deceased robbed a member of the public of a cellphone on Saturday at around 14:00, but his luck ran out, and he was caught by a community member.
As soon as they caught him, they beat him with sjamboks and golf clubs, breaking his limbs and dragging him from Block R to Block X until he died. It is alleged that his ordeal lasted for hours and he was certified dead on the scene by the Tshwane Emergency Services.
An investigation into the murder was launched, and five suspects were arrested this morning (Tuesday) for the killing of the 22-yearold man. More arrests are imminent since it is alleged that over 46 people participated in this heinous crime of vigilantism that led to the murder.
The station would like to reiterate to members of the public to stop taking the law into their own hands, but instead, call the police after making a citizen arrest. It also emerged at the release of the Gauteng Provincial Crime Statistics today that the province experiences a spike in murder cases emanating from vigilantism.
The Station Commander, Brigadier Molatelo Maphoto has always emphasised to residents to avoid beating up suspects but to arrest them and the police will do the rest.
This previous Saturday, the same day the murder was committed, the Rietgat SAPS led by Brigadier Maphoto and the Community Policing Forum held a community Imbizo in Block P and vigilantism was harshly condemned by the Station Commander but he urged the community to report to the police and have faith in them. It is however evident that the message has fallen on deaf ears.
The arrest of these community members now turned suspects, will send a strong message to other residents that resorting to vigilantism only turns good citizens into criminals.
All these arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Soshanguve Magistrate Court in due course.
By Prudance Silinda editorial@tshwanebulletin.co.za
During the past month, parents have voiced their concerns about the safety of children at Lebogang Primary School in GaRankuwa. It imposes health hazards on the pupils, making the school unsuitable for learning.
The Education Department failed to respond to issues raised regarding hygiene in the school, a sinkhole, and an unsafe playground.
Pupils from grade R to grade 4 attend Lebogang Primary School, and parents believe their kids need a safe and conducive environment.
According to the parents, they had tried to speak with the principal of the school, he had promised to take the matter to the Department of Education, but they later discovered he had not sent the emails.
To ensure the safety of their children, the parents decided to move their children to another nearby school.
One parent confirmed her child had already started feeling ill because she believes the child acquired an infection from using the school’s toilet.
According to Steve Mabona, The spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education, the sinkhole was not known to them. He promised the department would send infrastructure
officials to assess the building.
Mabona noted that the main problem was a breakdown in communication between the department, the school, and the community. The complaint has been received, and they will attend to it.
” The government has allocated funds to address such infrastructure issues. They have also provided
chemical toilets for the school. However, engineers are still assessing the damage caused by the sinkhole”, said Mabona.
Phomolo Mothobi Community Spokesperson said they are planning to close down the school again soon as no action has been taken by the department.
In response, he said this was the result of those in charge of dealing with
the issue. Despite toilet and drainage problems, the school is still operating.
Mothobi did not confirm the exact date they plan to shut down the school as per the community.
“The Department of Education has not kept its promises. We still fear for the safety of our pupils as a community,” said Mothobi.
for the clinic to operate 24 hours as it once did.
The picket was intended to convey their wishes to top officials. In addition, razor wire and a camera were installed.
And the community will help security to keep workers and patients safe. With 12 community members contributing to the security and the CFO.
“After more security was deployed, a fifth robbery occurred where clinic chairs were stolen”
“Lucky for us, the community got them and beat them up and brought them to the police station,” said Ndala. “The Kgabo clinic chairs were returned and the criminals were taken to the police station.”
Picketing was successful, and the clinic now operates 24 hours a day, including weekends.
Following community marches, the Kgabo Clinic has reopened 24 hours a day and is available to the public
Moruti “Perempi”, has passed away.
By Phishego Mathipa editorial@tshwanebulletin.co.zaThe Winterveldt community protested outside Kgabo Clinic to urge the clinic to have 24-hour services again. Residents and activists protested because the clinic only operated
during the day Located at Vuma Four Ways, a hot spot for criminals , four cases of robbery, including an armed robbery, have been reported, with no arrests. Consequently, the clinic’s hours were changed from 24 hours to 9am to 5pm. Jewelry, money, cellphones,
and anything luxurious were lost by clinic staff and patients. Moreover, the clinic’s equipment, particularly administration equipment, was under threat from criminal activity.
Themba Ndala who is the leader of the Community Forum told Tshwane Bulletin that the community did ask
The shocking death of Dr. Reuben Mamatsinya, hailed as a “Giver”, stunned many.
The popular pastor established an NGO called Love in Action based in Mabopane Block N, Industrial site. The NGO consists of three (3) entities: Church, Sports, Arts & Culture, and Agriculture.
The Rietgat SAPS visited various liquor outlets in the area and four popular liquor outlets in the policing precinct were found to be non-compliant. The sting operation took place on the 18th of April 2023. These outlets whose names are
There has been a warning from the City of Tshwane about a bogus contractor photographing residences in Soshanguve under the guise of a Tshwane solar installation drive in a Tshwane credit control vehicle.
House owners in the Soshanguve area are said to be approached by the contractor and asked for identification documents. The City of Tshwane acknowledged in a statement that there is no solar project in Soshanguve. Local are advised not to fall for this fraud.
Criminals continued to be warned that they would be arrested, charged, and prosecuted since their actions were acts of corruption.
Cllr Joel Kgomotso
Masilela ka Mahlangu, spokesperson for the ANC Greater Tshwane Caucus, also advised the community to scrutinize the legitimacy of such programs with their local authority offices. Do not give people access to your house’s design or allow them to take pictures of it. DO NOT give out your personal information to anybody claiming to be part of a project to install “Solar Geysers” unless it’s communicated officially through known processes. You and your family might be exposed to serious harm if you do so. It is not safe to do so.
Added Mahlangu
Mr Lindela Mashigo
Director of Media
Relations at the city of Tshwane has released a statement cautioning Tshwane residents about the ongoing crime. Also, remind them of how to handle such crimes when faced with them. He has advised Tshwane residents to look for these perpetrators. If approached they should report this to the Tshwane Metro Police Department at 012 358 7095/6 or the city’s call centre at 012 358 9999.
known to the station are situated in Block P, S, GG and Block Y respectively. During this operation, the National Liquor Board ensured compliance.
All these traders were fined R1500 each for non compliance. This includes not displaying liquor certificates, using a bottle
store licence for distribution and selling alcohol to off consumers while the establishment is for on consumption.
Station Commander Brigadier Molatelo Maphoto commended the members for ensuring compliance. “Non-compliance at any liquor outlet within
the Rietgat area will never happen during my time. I am also happy and grateful for the tips I received from the community. I really appreciate it,” said Brigadier Maphoto. The station would like to further encourage the community to call for tips-offs about any
INVITATION FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SUBMISSION OF COMMENTS ON THE 2023–2026 DRAFT TSHWANE INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN, 2023/24 DRAFT MEDIUM-TERM REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK AND DRAFT PROPERTY RATES POLICY AND BY-LAW
suspicious activity in the area. The following numbers can be called for swift response: Client Service Centre (CSC) 071 675 6250 or Station Commander Brigadier Maphoto at 824558236 or MYSAPS APP downloadable for free on Playstore or Istore.
The Speaker of Council, Cllr Mncedi Ndzwanana, hereby invites community members and interested stakeholders to public participation meetings on the 2023–2026 draft Tshwane Integrated Development Plan (IDP), 2023/24 draft Medium-term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) and draft Property Rates Policy and By-law
The public participation meetings are scheduled as follows:
All documents can be accessed on the City of Tshwane public website at www.tshwane.gov.za.
Representation and/or submission of written comments:
• Draft Tshwane IDP: Send an email to idpcomments@tshwane.gov.za or hand-deliver comments to the IDP comments box, reception desk, Ground Floor, Tshwane House, 320 Madiba Street, Pretoria
• Draft MTREF: Send an email to Stephani Botes at stephanib@tshwane.gov.za or hand-deliver comments to the MTREF comments box, reception desk, Ground Floor, Tshwane House, 320 Madiba Street, Pretoria
• Draft Property Rates Policy and By-law: Send an email to Sam Chepape at samch@tshwane.gov.za or hand-deliver comments to the Property Rates Policy and By-law comments box, reception desk, Ground Floor, Tshwane House, 320 Madiba Street, Pretoria
The closing date for the submission of comments is 17 May 2023 at 16:00.
Cllr Mncedi Ndzwanana SPEAKER OF COUNCIL
Ateam of foot soldiers under the leadership of Lemmy Mazizi, chairperson of the Democratic Alliance, engaged potential voters in Ward 24 Winterveldt.
The second-largest political party campaigns in Winterveldt and promises services to the community.
According to councillor Thabisile Vilakazi, the campaign was not sparked by a particular party but rather in response to community concerns.
Vilakazi, a PR councillor in Ward 24, said engaging community members is imperative for a party that will govern the people next year.
There is no helicopter view and attitude model of government in the DA. community members play a vital role and DA is the only solution to the country’s problem.
Furthermore, she said that Tshwane residents will continue
to benefit from their services as long as they lead the government.
“These include waste collection, pothole fixing, grass cutting, human settlement and social development issues, and all aspects of ensuring that residents of the city are taken care of,” said Villakazi.
In response to a question
about the way people reacted to the campaign, Vilakazi said, “The people were very honest and upfront with us. We appreciate the criticism and guidance they provided on their approach.
Moreover, their party is doing its best to address the needs of the people, including job opportunities, fairness, and
By Captain Stephen Maluleka
leveling the playing field.
As Ward 24 was previously won by the ANC, she explained that campaigning had not worked for them, but they would continue engaging with residents to win.
A coalition sometimes makes it hard to run the municipality. It is our goal to win municipal elections fairly. Added Vilakazi.
The Rietgat police have made sure that law and order remains at the core of its policing mandate. They have ensured that transgressors feel the full might of the law by putting them away at the weekend. The station put over 30 suspects for the commission of inter alia; murder, rape, drunk driving, pointing of firearm, shoplifting, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and kidnapping, assault on police and interference, reckless and negligent driving, possession of drugs, possession of imitation firearm, possession of stolen motor vehicle, dealing in dagga, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, robbery with firearm, common robbery and malicious damage to property. Among the arrested, a woman in her late 20s was behind bars for stabbing her boyfriend in the stomach. This was after a heated argument ensued between them. The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday the 23rd of April in Block R after the couple returned from a party. After stabbing her 32 year-old boyfriend, she was assisted to rush him to the clinic where he was certified dead on arrival. The Rietgat SAPS Station Commander, Brigadier Molatelo Maphoto expressed his gratitude to the men and women in blue for their sterling work of putting suspects behind bars.
“I am very grateful for the determination showed by but these members who effected the arrests, their dedication will never go unnoticed. Thank you for all your efforts,” said Brigadier Maphoto. All the arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Soshanguve Magistrate Court in due course.
Christopher Masia said the project had been completed. Eskom hasn’t yet installed electricity in the building, they are delaying the project.
“Both myself and the MMC of Social Development have emailed Eskom countless times, but they have not responded to our emails,” said Masia.
By Phishego Mathipa editorial@tshwanebulletin.co.zaResidents in Winterveldt worry about when the Social Development Centre will be fully operational since it has taken longer to open. Even though the centre is supposed to create employment and provide skills development for Winterveldt residents, it has remained a ghost building for years. The Municipality has not provided any updates.
The project is 95% complete, although, by its schedule, it should have been finished long ago.
Cllr Peggy de Bruin, MMC of Social Development and Community Services, visited the centre to see how the refurbishment was progressing.
The project is almost complete and will provide valuable services to the community. This includes social services
and a youth centre, said MMC de Bruin. It is a multipurpose facility. It is meant to develop the community of Winterveldt by providing services such as SASSA (South African Social Services Agency) offices, Early Childhood Development, local NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) and a youth centre.
In an exclusive interview with the Tshwane Bulletin, Ward 24 councilor
Due to other service providers, most government projects are not completed on time.
Councilor Masia further said that he would meet with the MMC’s office on Wednesday to discuss the Eskom issue.
Last communication said a contractor had been hired. “So far we are still in the dark, we don’t know anything,” added Masia.
The Soshanguve Taxi Owners Association (SOTOA) has opened a filling station to meet the fuel demands of its members.
The move follows an outcry raised by commuters and taxi operators over high fuel costs.
Using the filling station will help taxi operators save money due to rising fuel prices, which affect them financially.
Currently, the filling station is located next to NAFCOC shopping area after Soshanguve block F WEST industrial . This is the first of its kind in the Soshanguve taxi industry, and operators are thrilled.
The successful partnership was forged by the Soshanguve Taxi Owners Association and an unknown company which remains discreet.
It was officially opened in 2018 and since then local taxi operators in Soshanguve have been able to access petrol and diesel.
Despite the fact that we built this filling station, we don’t restrict drivers from heading to other filling stations. “However, this one was mostly for taxis”, said Fadana.
Mogale Said that the fuel storage facility is a pilot project. They aimed to have many more projects in the near future, so the association could
do everything for themselves.
In addition, he said most of their taxi members are not entitled to benefits from other popular filling stations.
In the past, taxi operators were promised 1 litre of fuel if they bought a certain amount of fuel, but it never happened. However, this didn’t happen, and we decided to pursue the chairman of the association ‘s idea and build our own.
For every litre of fuel purchased, a
3 JUNE 2023 @ 08H00
*Visit 130 various stalls
*Sing along with Pieter Koen and Oom Hennie’s guitar group.
*Try our mini ponies, horse and tractor rides as well as a Highrider from the 1800’s.
*See the old farmyard, engines and machines.
*Enjoy tasty food such as pap and kaaiings; and sheep offal. Enjoy the mampoer tasting and beer garden.
customer receives an R1 point which can be redeemed after 3 months. Customer withdrawals are determined by the amount of fuel they purchase after the waiting period.
In contrast to ordinary fueling stations, this initiative does not serve the general public, but rather serves only operators affiliated with SOTOA. Each taxi owner and operator has a token they load before filling up with petrol.
This filling station aims to reward its customers when they purchase petrol expecially taxi drivers.
The idea of building a filling station was initially presented Mckeed Mogale, chairman of the association. However, it was later discussed and finalised by the executive as a whole, according to the disciplinary chairperson of the association Washington Fadana.
editorial@tshwanebulletin.co.za
Hammanskraal boys U16
TITANS team finished second in this year’s CSA U16 Hub challenge held in Benoni earlier this month. The Hammanskraal-based club fell short in the final losing to South Boys U16 by 39 runs. Despite falling short of silverware, Hammanskraal Cricket Club won the hearts of many writing their names in the history books of South African development.
Club administrator Ikgomotseng Mothoa marked the journey leading to and throughout the Hub challenge special to the club. Coming into the challenge as local champions in their region, Mothoa revealed that the boys believed in their capabilities of bringing the title home. “When CSA confirmed that the Hub challenge will take place everything was up and set so for us arriving in Benoni we were ready and it proved with our performances on the field winning all our group games leading up to
the final. “ We were the only team who finished with a hundred percent record in the group stages which was a massive achievement to us”.
The club left the challenge with yet another record of having the youngest team as most teams came to the challenge with exactly 16-yearolds. Young as they are Mothoa believes that no team will be able to stop them in the next edition of the CSA Hub Challenge and was left proud of the boy’s display of good cricket.
“ The parents were happy, players were happy and we said to the boys that win or lose we are happy because we achieved what we wanted to which was to play good cricket. We are still a young team and we still coming back stronger than ever. So as management, we are proud, TITANS cricket is proud as well”.
He further revealed that Parents
and the community of Hammanskraal have always been supportive of the club as they came in numbers to support the U16 boys. Senior players of the team were also present in support of the junior team.
Head coach Mpho Shai was left out of words on how proud he is of his boys. Nicknamed King, Shai was the youngest coach to reach the final on his first appearance. “ It’s super big going to the Hub challenge I was the youngest coach plus with the youngest team so it means a lot. I was paying with boys who are 11,12 and 14 and not a single one of them was over 16 years “.
The club now shifts focus to the four months winter programme that starts next month to prepare for the next Hub challenge, provincial trials and provincial games set to take place as the year progresses.
By Tshepiso MakgabutlaneTshwane remains home of Netball excellence. A busy day was had yesterday. We share some photos of region 6 coaches’ clinic. Aswell as photos of a fun day held in Eersterust with a team from Cullinan.
This is a huge step to the future of greater success in the region. “This amalgamation has paved the way to future growth,” said Riana Bezuidenhout. Chairperson Tshwane Netball.
“I am proud of the great strides taken, the hard work and the cohesion that took place. I know that Region one is ripe with opportunities and am looking forward to witnessing amazing work from the new structure” she continued.
“The club left the challenge with yet another record”
