TSHWANE BULLETIN JULY-AUGUST 2020

Tshwane Bulletin

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NO ONE HAS RIGHTS TO DAMAGE PROPERTY

WE APPLAUD OUR WORKERS DEDICATION

JULY - AUGUST 2020

SAMWU MEMBERS GOES ON A RAMPAGE

- MASUKU

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• JULY - AUGUST 2020

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German car manufacturer BMW South Africa representatives and Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital heads of department officials during the ambulance hand over ceremony to the hospital

Automotive company donates R76 million FULL STORY ON PAGE 2

. Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, the accident and emergency facilities will be significantly upgraded and 300 beds. FULL STORY ON PAGE 2

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Improvements includes the upgrades of the soshanguve combined clinic

LEADING STORY

By Letlhogonolo Mosete editorial@tshwanebulletin.co.za

T

o augment its already existing fleet and strengthen the provision of quality healthcare services to residents, leading car manufacturer BMW SA, recently donated a brand new ambulance to Dr George

Mukhari Academic Hospital.

This comes after the automotive company and the German government donated R76 million to equip South African clinics and hospitals with the equipment needed to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Emergency workers giving the newly donated ambulance a test run

Is owned and Published by TPM Media (PTY)LTD EDITORIAL & CIRCULATION: Letlhogonolo Mosete

General Manager at BMW South Africa Group Communications, Diederik Rietsma said “Improvements will include the upgrade of the Soshanguve Combined Clinic, near the company’s Rosslyn manufacturing plant, to a testing and screening centre. The company has provided a fully equipped ambulance and cars for transporting patients to various hospitals in the region.”

“At Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, the accident and emergency facilities will be significantly upgraded and 300 beds added. An additional 300 beds will be added across the region, four community clinics in Soshanguve will be provided with a supply of face masks, disinfectants and PPE’S (Personal protective equipments,” said Rietsma.

German Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Deelopment Gerd Muller said “The project In Gauteng is part of our coronavirus response programme, which we use to combat not only the heath crisis, but also severe economic crisis in South Africa. Her companies that are represented locally like the BMW Group are important partners in the German development policy.”

The company in April donated face masks to emergency personnel, 40 000 high quality respiratory protection in May. They have also loaned 17 BMW’S to the Red Cross, to assist them with contact tracing and the delivery of hot meals.

Teenager arrested for possession of cigarettes

The Mabopane Station continues to be a thorn side for the authorities products.

The station continues to be a thorn for the authorities as the black market for cigarettes is a booming trade, due to smokers wanting to quell their cravings and sellers wanting to capitalize

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SOSHTIMES

Confiscated illigal cigarettes

By Letlhogonolo Mosete

T

he illegal sale of cigarette continues to be a lucrative

endeavour with price adjustments dictated by the seller, despite government ban.

Recently a 17 year-old

teenager was arrested by Rietgat police officials in Mabopane Station after he was found in possession of illicit tobacco

T

on the demand South Africa is the only country in the world to ban the sale of tobacco products during the Covid- 19 pandemic.

Rietgat Police Station Communication Officer Captain Stephen Maluleka said “The teenager was charged with the contravention of the Disaster Management Act Regulation 45(1), which prohibits the distribution and sale of tobacco products.

He will appear at the Soshanguve Magistrate's Court in due course.

shwane Bulletin subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that reports news that is truthful, accurate, fair, balanced and thus not infringe on people’s constitutional rights. If we don’t adhere to the code please report us at the Public Advocate contact numbers (011) 484-3612 or lodge a complaint via email www.presscouncil.org.za

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SOSHTIMES

Police operation nets four suspects Missing boys Law enforcers are still visible and effective

found alive

NEWS Senzo Ndaba (10)

By Letlhogonolo Mosete editorial@tshwanebulletin.co.za

CRIME Members of the South African Police Force display some of the confiscated dagga during a stng operation in Soshanguve

By Letlhogonolo Mosete editorial@tshwanebulletin.co.za

F

our suspects were arrested for various crimes during a sting operation organised by the Rietgat SAPS, in conjunction with the South African Defence Force, Tshwane Metro Police, Road Traffic Management Agency and Tracker in Soshanguve.

A 33 year-old was arrested and charged for being in possession of

a stolen vehicle, a stolen Nissan Hardbody bakkie was recovered.

In the same wave of arrests, dagga peddlers in two separate incidents felt the wrath of the law after three suspects aged 29, 32, 33 years were found in possession of dagga with a street value of R 4000, while two cigarette sellers were also thrown behind bars for contravention of the Disaster Management Act Regulation 45 (1).

The other objective of

the operation was to sent a a strong message to the community that law enforcers are still visible and effective during this lockdown alert level 3 Rietgat’s Station Commander Stephina Nkosi lauded the camaraderie amongst the law enforcers and further condemned acts of criminality within the policing precinct and the country in general. She said “I am excited that this team work has yielded positive

results, and certainly the level of lawlessness will decline.

During the operation, about 133 civilians and 57 vehicles were stopped and searched while 9 properties were also paid an unannounced visits.

Two shopping centres were also visited as part of operation’s visibility.

All the arrested suspects will soon appear in the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court.

Gauteng residents urged to use water cautiously

T

he Department of Water and Sanitation has urged Gauteng users to reduce water usage to a bare minimum as the Vaal Dam continues to be constrained and dam levels decline week-on-week.

The department warned that the drop in dam levels could spell a serious situation if water consumers do not heed the call to use water cautiously during this dry, winter season.

“The levels of the Vaal Dam are reaching critical levels weekon-week and this requires everyone to save water as much as possible,” said the department in a statement.

The department stressed

the importance of responding timeously to leaks and wastages to minimise losses.

A major dam in the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), the Vaal Dam dipped to even lower levels this week when it declined from last week’s 43.4% to 42.6%.

This, according to the department, indicates that the dam has been hovering under stress for some time, a situation which is now worsened by the dry winter season.

The Grootdraai Dam continues to stand firm at 81.4%. This is, however, down from the 82.4% at which it stood last week. Both these levels are healthier when compared to the 66.8% the dam was at during the same period last year.

The Ndaba family is happy to be reunited with their loved ones, after they went missing from their place of residence recently.

The two boys, Masoja Ndaba (14) and Senzo Ndaba were sought by police after their disappearance from their home at Michas View section in Kgabalatsane village next to Hebron.

According to the information supplied the pair were last seen by their father, after exchanging greetings they went outside and he fell asleep, upon waking up, the boys were nowhere to be found.

A search for them was launched, with the assistance by the public both lads were found alive and healthy after being spotted by Tshwane Metro Officers in Marabastad.

Masoja Ndaba (14) Hebron Police Station Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Makgale and the Commander of Klipgat Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, Captain Segopolo, thanked the public for their assistance which led to locating the missing children.

“Masoja and Senzo Ndaba were found alive and healthy in Marabastad late in the afternoon today after being spotted by Tshwane Metro Officers. The pair was sought by police in Hebron, after they went missing from their place of residence at Michas View section in Kgabalatsane village, next to Hebron,” Makgale and Segopolo said.

Makgale and Segopolo said “According to information available at this stage, Masoja Ndaba (14) and Senzo Ndaba (10) were last seen on Tuesday, by their father. It is further alleged that after greeting the father, they went outside and he fell asleep. Upon waking up at about 10:00, the boys were nowhere to be found.”

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Gauteng Legislature mourns passing of Mapiti Matsena He advocated for the strengthening of the fight against GBV

By Own Correspondent

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Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) Mapiti Matsena, who passed away

auteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) Speaker Ntombi Mekgwe has extended her deepest condolences to the family and friends of its member, Mapiti Matsena, who passed away on Wednesday after being attacked in his home in Tshwane.

Matsena joined the GPL as a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) following the 2019 National and Provincial Elections, and was immediately appointed as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety.

He also served as a Member of the Portfolio Committee on Infrastructure Development and Property Management.

Mekgwe said Matsena served both committees diligently and with great distinction, and always demonstrated commitment and dedication in his work as a public representative.

Passionate about the safety of the residents of Gauteng, Mekgwe said Matsena never missed an opportunity to express his convictions with law enforcement authorities regarding the safety of the

people of Gauteng.

“He represented a rare breed of public representatives with a distinct ability to put political differences aside to achieve common objectives that served the best interest of citizens.

“Understanding his role as a Public Representative, Matsena ensured full accountability by the Gauteng Department of Community Safety and the Provincial Police on matters of community safety, particularly women and children,” Mekgwe said in a statement on Thursday.

Mekgwe also highlighted that Matsena’s firm stance against Gender Based Violence (GBV), gained him popularity amongst his peers, as he never missed an opportunity to campaign and advocate for the strengthening of the fight against GBV, every time he addressed a House Sitting.

“His passing marks a great loss to the province, and we appeal to law enforcement authorities to work with the greatest urgency to bring the murderers to book.

“We wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family and thank them for sharing him with us, his friends, political party the ANC, and the entire community of Gauteng - which he represented in the Legislature and served with distinction. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Mekgwe said

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COVID-19 outreach to target hot spots

CITY NEWS Conducting a COVID-19 health awareness to all City of Tshwane regions on the spread of the Coronavirus.

By Letlhogonolo Mosete editorial@tshwanebulletin.co.za

T

he City of Tshwane’s COVID-19 WardBased outreach focusing on screening and testing drive will to target the identified Coronavirus hotspots in

Centurion and Rayton.

The City developed a COVID-19 operational plan which aims to raise awareness about the pandemic, test and screen as many people as possible across all the seven regions of Tshwane, in a bid to

separate the positive people from the negative ones and contain the spread of the Coronavirus.

The key aim of the City’s COVID-19 screening and testing plan is to raise awareness on the rapid spread of the Coronavirus and it will be achieved by implementing the following objectives: • Conducting a COVID-19 health awareness to all City of Tshwane regions on the spread of the Coronavirus.

• Conducting a street work and outreach programme in identified shopping centres and in areas considered to be high risk to the spread the COVID-19.

• Screening and testing all persons who show the following COVID-19 signs: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.

The City has done an analytical exercise that zoomed into all its townships and suburbs to determine where the spike of Coronavirus is with a vision to instituting informed health programmes and awareness interventions.

NEWS

SOSHTIMES

customer dies while in the queue

By Own Correspondent The City of Tshwane’s Customer Care Walk-In-Centre in Block F, Soshanguve, has been closed for the day after a customer collapsed and passed away while standing in a queue to be served this recently..

The centre’s personnel is traumatised by witnessing this unfortunate incident and counselling will be arranged for them.

The matter is now in the hands of the South African Police service.

The City would like to express condolences to the family of the deceased customer. Customers are urged to visit other nearest centres for services and we apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Tshwane administrator condemns appaling behaviour by protesting SAMWU members The meeting collapsed as there was no quorum

By Letlhogonolo Mosete editorial@tshwanebulletin.co.za

T

shwane Head Administrator Mpho Nawa has strongly condemned the appalling behaviour by protesting SAMWU members who damaged the municipality's Head Office - Tshwane House, emptied the wheelie bins and trashed the CBD streets with litter earlier today.

"The right to strike is entrenched in the Constitution, but no one has the right to damage the property of the municipality and trash the streets with litter.

This behaviour borders on criminality. We hope that the police will do their job and bring to book the responsible culprits," Nawa said.

On 20 July 2020, the special Local Labour Forum (LLF) meeting was held

between the Administrators and the representatives of both SAMWU and IMATU. The purpose of the meeting was to conclude on the two agenda items , namely : (1) implementation of the 6.25% annual wage increase and (2) implementation of the benchmarking collective agreement. These items had not been concluded from the previous meeting held on 16 July 2020.

It is unfortunate to note that this meeting could not conclude on these matters due to the fact that SAMWU leadership walked out of the meeting and, as such, the meeting collapsed as there was no quorum.

The main issue that was disputed by both union leadership was around the City's request to make a proposal on how the modalities of 6.25% could be structured.

This was unfortunate especially because in the previous special LLF meeting held on 16 July 2020 the Administrators made a compelling case regarding the state of the City's finances, a concern that has also been raised by National Treasury.

This is besides the fact in all the interactions between the Administrators and Union leadership, the City reiterated its commitment to honour the agreed 6.25% wage increment agreement and this was restated at this meeting.

However, it was important for parties to be appraised of all these factors that the City is confronted with and this was done in the spirit of transparency and collective responsibility so as to navigate these challenges It is public knowledge that over the passage of time the City's revenue has been

declining and this problem was compounded by under collection due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These challenges are not only pervasive to the city of Tshwane, but all sectors of our economy are bleeding as a result of Coronavirus pandemic.

A summary of the City’s finances is as follows: - Actual average collection for April 2020 to June 2020 was 68%.

- This equals to a loss of income for the three months of more than R2,8 billion.

- The revenue in the budget is earned and cash collected during the year – the amount shown as revenue is NOT available in cash at the beginning of the year - Employee costs increased from 30% of operational expenditure to 31,5% of operational expenditure in the 2020/2021 Financial Year.

- In the 2020/2021 budget, R931 million (12%) had to be cut from materials, contracted services, transfers, and general expenditure.

This will impact on the delivery of services.

Our projections indicate that if nothing changes, the City is likely to have a shortfall of R5 billion by the end of the 2020/21 Financial Year.

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Online protection order on the cards SOSHTIMES

By Letlhogonolo Mosete Victims of gender based violence have been given a lifeline as Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Ronald Lamola, said the department will introduce a new bill that will enable victims to apply for a protection order online.

The Minister said this when he outlined the department’s priorities during a virtual sitting of the National Assembly recently “I am pleased that our Domestic Violence Bill will introduce modernization in a radical form. If passed, our domestic violence bill will make it possible for one to apply for a protection order online.

“This will be a leap forward in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.

“This is the first of several reforms we want to introduce. For instance, there is no reason why uncontested divorce applications and maintenance applications cannot be done online,” he said.

He said this as genderbased violence comes under scrutiny due to increased incidents of violence against women and children over the past few weeks.

Lamola said the country can truly benefit from a modernized and integrated justice system.

He said during the previous financial year, the department managed to roll out the Person Identification and Verification Application (PIVA) system at South African Police Service stations.

The system enables the identity of arrested individuals to be verified using their fingerprints and checked against the Department of Home Affairs records.

“More than 227 098 accused persons have been verified via this system and over 135 968 of these individuals (60%) had prior criminal records that could be referenced.

“Further 6 205 (2.3%) wanted persons could be identified and linked to SAPS circulations as persons of interest for other cases.

This timeous information is assisting SAPS and NPA during the subsequent management of accused persons and provides data to assist bail considerations.

“As at March 2020, the South African Social Secu-

LATE MAY 2018

rity Services had verified 154 974 beneficiaries,” he said.

He said all parties in court were able to use their own laptops and mobile tablets to access and refer to digital versions of case materials.

“We completed the digital case bundle pilot at Johannesburg

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High Court and Pretoria High Court which was successful and we operationalized it at both these two sites.

“The project has established a centralized Court e-Filing helpdesk to provide support to both internal stakeholders (judges and court officials) and external

stakeholders (legal practitioners).

“In this financial year, we will focus on increasing user-ability, training and expanding this system across the country,” he said.

The department will be initiating the process of reforming the Criminal Procedure Act this financial year to address some of

the systemic challenges and modernization of the act.

He said the department’s payment system had some challenges for a couple of months.

“The system has been resorted to full functionality and backlog payments are being addressed“Soon,

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Tshwane show grounds is back in the hands of the city of Tshwane

TSHWABAC’s finances were in a bad state and it faced creditors that were pursuing it

Tshwane Head Administrator Mr Mpho Nawa

By Own Correspondent After a protracted legal wrangle, the City of Tshwane is delighted to announce the re-acquisition of the Tshwane Show Grounds, a high value capital asset that is set to enhance its asset register.

TSHWABAC is the registered owner of the property where the annual Tshwane Showgrounds (formerly Pretoria Show Grounds) used to be held. It is situated on

WF Nkomo Street, west of the City.

The property used to belong to the City of Tshwane’s predecessor – the Pretoria Central Metropolitan Substructure. The then Council resolved to transfer the property to TSHWABAC, then known as the Northern Transvaal Chamber of Industries – free of charge.

The property was given for purposes of hosting exhibitions and diverse activities involving the community, or

a portion of the community, as well as any other event which directly or indirectly related to such exhibitions and activities, with the provision that the facilities on the property or any part may be leased to third parties.

From around 2016, TSHWABAC’s finances were in a bad state and it faced creditors that were pursuing it. It thus sought to sell the property to pay off its creditors. TSHWABAC approached

the City of Tshwane with a request for the City of Tshwane to consent to the sale of the property in 2017, but this was refused. TSHWABAC also owed the City of Tshwane for rates and services at the time and still does. Thus, the proceeds of the sale would have been used to pay off its debt to the City.

Based on this, the City of Tshwane then demanded that TSHWABAC hand back the property to the City, in line with the caveat in the title deed, since it was no longer using it for the intended donation but actually wanted to use the property to pay off its creditors.

The City of Tshwane also pointed out that there were activities that were being carried out on the property that were contrary to the donation stipulations (e.g. a church).

The amount that the City of Tshwane would be liable for, in real terms, is approximately R12 258 275.00.

Tshwane Head Administrator Mr Mpho Nawa said it must be noted that the implication of the City of Tshwane having to pay the above amount means that, as a creditor, the City of Tshwane would not be paid amounts owed to it by TSHWABAC and would have to write-off these amounts.

“This, however, should be viewed against the fact that the City of Tshwane will be gaining a high value capital asset that would enhance its asset register and that can be exploited at a great benefit for the City and its residents,” Nawa said.

Nawa also expressed elation at the news of the show grounds transferring back to the City, saying that it would be used as a temporary COVID-19 field hospital to accommodate moderate and mild patients.

The facility will be fitted with the necessary health equipment and beds to accommodate and treat the rapidly increasing number of COVID19 patients in the City.

“This transfer couldn’t have come at the right time when we were battling to find a suitable facility to treat the COVID-19 patients. The acquisition came as a massive relief to our efforts to augment other facilities earmarked for the Corona virus related matters to lessen the burden on our health facilities,” More enthused.

SASSA Strategy for Restoring Lapsing Disability Grants

By Own Correspondent Disability grants that were supposed to lapse from March 2020 have been extended to the end of October in order to cushion affected beneficiaries against the pressures brought about by the State of National Disaster and the subsequent lockdown. Ministerial Directions issued on 30 March 2020 enable continued payment of temporary disability grants throughout the lockdown period.

Directions were issued in order to reinstate all temporary disability grants which lapsed in the period between February and June 2020. These grants will remain in payment until October 2020.

In preparation for re-instating the application process for disability grants SASSA developed the strategy below to phase in these services.

Disability grant applications require assessment by a medical doctor.

The COVID-19 epidemic led to a

situation where services from the Health Department such as these assessments were suspended in order to redirect resources at combatting the COVID-19 epidemic. Temporary disability grants have a lifespan of twelve months and beneficiaries have to re-apply after the prescribed period.

In twelve months there is a possibility that a medical condition might have improved to the extent that it does not require continuation of temporary disability grant.

The SASSA strategy to reintroduce disability related services as from July 2020 required all regions to engage the Provincial Departments of Health to determine what support can be provided. The reintroduction of disability services is impacted by the limited access to health facilities and this is why the strategy developed provides for a phased in approach.

The different categories of disability grant applications will be prioritised

as follows: Priority 1: All clients whose medical assessments were done before lockdown, but having incomplete applications.

Medical assessments for disability grants are valid for a period of 3 months only and the first priority will be to complete the applications before the medicals expire. Medicals for care dependency

grants do not expire, so any which were done prior to lockdown will result in an application.

Priority 2: All applications which were booked for assessment but assessments could not be done prior to lockdown. The numbers of cases affected in priorities 1 and 2 are 19 035 in the country.

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Tshwane obtains court interdict against SAMWU and disruption of services

The City’s finances are in a precarious state currently and if we attempt to pay the benchmarking monies we would becrippling the municipality and be forced to retrench the workers.

By Own Correspondent

T

he ongoing labour dispute between members affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) and the City of Tshwane (CoT) is having a devastating impact on the provision of service delivery across all the seven regions in the municipality.

Provision of services in various regions in respect of water

& sanitation, energy and electricity, regravelling of the roads have been severely affected.

Other services that have been severely impacted by the strike include the suspension of the bus services, closure of some of the Customer Care walk-incentres and a clinic.

Workers that have reported for duty in certain regions have been physically threatened and their offices forcefully closed by the striking workers.

Management has conceded to

one of the workers’ demands of the payment of the annual wage increment, which would be paid.

The leadership of the municipality has made it abundantly clear to the labour union representatives that the City’s finances were in dire straits and thus cannot afford to pay the workers their outstanding benchmarking monies at this juncture.

Meanwhile, the Labour Court of South Africa on Friday, 24 July 2020, granted

the City of Tshwane an urgent interdict which ordered workers affiliated to SAMWU to immediately cease and desist from: • Blocking or interfering with the traffic flow in the Pretoria CBD, without proper authority being obtained for a protest march; • Damaging any property of the applicant (City of Tshwane), residents, or business owners in the City of Tshwane; and, • Threatening, manhandling, or assaulting any employee

or contractor of the applicant (CoT).

Tshwane Head Administrator Mr Mpho Nawa has urged the striking workers to comply with the order of the Labour Court and pleaded with the parties to return to the negotiation table.

“We have witnessed wanton destruction of property since last week in the CBD and this has now escalated to threats and intimidation of nonstriking workers in various regions. Some of the striking workers have gone to the extent of switching off the lights at one of the City’s clinics which is providing a critical service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is totally unacceptable.

Workers have an inalienable right to protest peacefully and not to threaten, intimidate or destroy property. We hope that the court order will be complied with and workers would return to work and provide the much-needed services to our communities.

The City’s finances are in a precarious state currently and if we attempt to pay the benchmarking monies we would be crippling the municipality and be forced to retrench the workers. We have bent over backwards to pay workers the annual wage increment amid very tight budgetary constraints.

“We humbly apologise to our communities for the inconvenience they’ve endured due to the strike,” Nawa said.

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SOSHTIMES

Tshwane bus service to resume operations T

he Tshwane Bus Service (TBS) wishes to inform its customers of the resumption of operations after the temporary suspension of services due to a bus driver who had tested positive for COVID-19.

Three of the City’s depots – C De Wit, East Lynne and Pretoria North were also temporarily closed to allow for the disinfection and deep cleaning of the buildings and the bus fleet.

The occupational certificates would be issued for the safe return of the employees.

The closure of the buildings and the suspension of bus operations helped to enable the tracing of personnel that came into contact with the bus driver who tested positive for Corona virus. A total of 19 drivers are self-isolating while the positive driver is on self-quarantine.

After the issuing of the occupation certificates of the three depots the core staff is expected to return to work tomorrow morning to prepare for the scheduling of shifts so that operations can resume on Tuesday.

Tshwane Head Administrator Mpho

Nawa has apologised to the TBS commuters for the inconvenience caused due to the suspension of bus operations and said this was done to protect the health and safety of both the staff members and the public“It is common cause that the Corona virus spreads rapidly, and as a precautionary measure, we resolved to temporarily close the affected bus depots and suspend bus operations to allow for the deep cleaning and disinfection of the buildings and the buses. We acknowledge that our valued customers were adversely affected by the suspension of operations, but this was a necessary move to consider their health and safety, together with that of our staff members.

“The process is underway to disinfect and deep clean the interior and exterior of the buses and the affected buildings and we expect the process to be completed later today. We reiterate our heartfelt apology to the bus commuters for the inconvenience they endured, but this had to be done for the health and safety of the TBS staff and the commuters,” Nawa said.

MEC & Minister of Health visits Dr George Mukhari

MEC and Minster of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize and Bandile Masuku recently visited the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital ( DGMAH ) in Ga-Rankuwa.

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By Letlhogonolo Mosete

midst the surge in numbers of COVID-19 infections in Gauteng province, the Minister and MEC of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize and Bandile Masuku recently visited the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital ( DGMAH ) in Ga-Rankuwa.

The purpose of the visit was to monitor the hospital’s readiness to deal with the Covid-19 cases on the increase in Gauteng. Mkhize

also applauded health workers at DGMAH for their commitment and hard work to fighting the #COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the newly refurbished wards at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital are finally opened. Patients under investigation (PUIs) and confirmed positive #COVID-19 cases have been moved into the wards, located in the surgical corridor following major refurbishments. The patients who were previously under investigation were kept at the hospital’s Burns Unit, which was also renovated recently.

The following designated

#COVID-19 wards are occupied after conversion: Burns Unit: 15 beds Ward 1: 26 beds Ward 2: 15 beds Ward 5: 26 beds Ward 6: 28 beds.

Masuku said “The dedication of our healthcare workers has not weakened even under conditions of extreme pressure induced by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is indeed encouraging to know that ours is a workforce that is resilient, dedicated and true to the oath that it has taken.”

“As a department and the government more generally, we have done a lot to prepare the country and our healthcare system for the storm that is aging.

We have created additional bed-capacity and put in place addition temporary facilities aimed at helping us to deal with the scourge of the pandemic,” Masuku said.

The MEC further said “We are constantly working on establishing a delicate balance between economic stability and preserving human life. We are aware that the staff in our facilities are already bearing the brunt.”

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Police loudhail lockdown compliance message

Taxi operators were also not spared

NEWS

Driver’s license expiry date extended

By Letlhogonolo Mosete editorial@tshwanebulletin.co.za

S

outh African motorists can breathe a sigh of relief as the extension date for the validity of drivers licenses was extended.

Tr a n s p o r t Minister Fikile Mbalula has publicised the gazette announcing amended directions on the validity period of licenses, which was published recently.

“All learner licenses, driving licenses cards, temporary driving licenses and professional driving permits, which expired from 26

Captain Stephen Maluleka

By Own Correspondent editorial@tshwanebulletin.co.za

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ith lockdown regulations relegated to level 3, Rietgat SAPS together with the South African Defense Force took to the streets in the station’s precinct to drill in the COVID-19 do's and don'ts.

The exercise was mainly to sensitize the community about the importance of wearing

of masks, sanitizing, washing hands, social distancing at funerals, shopping centres and churches.

The law enforcers further emphasized on curfew so that that the community does not find itself on the wrong hand of the law. Taxi operators were also not spared, but told to ensure that they police their passengers to wear masks while they themselves are well equipped with sanitizers and masks.

Rietgat Police Station’s Spokesperson Captain Stephen Maluleka said “We advise parents and guardians to make sure that they keep an eye on their children to stay indoors but only send them to shops to get essential goods and services.

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March up to 31 August 2020, are extended to 31 January 2021,” the gazette reads.

In addition, all motor vehicle discs, temporary permits and roadworthy certificates, which expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 May 2020, are deemed valid until 31 August 2020.

Furthermore, motor trade number licenses, which expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 May 2020, will also be given a grace period ending on 30 November Motorist Edward Mogale from Block U Mabopane said “It is a good thing that we have been given a grace period, because of the functional capacity of the traffic department amidst the coronavirus pandemic. We are very grateful for the opportunity.”

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula

“Always Rejoice”! Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses moves to streaming platform

Local spokesman Siphiwe Mkwanazi

In a world where achieving a state of sustained joy may seem elusive even impossible for many, millions of Jehovahs Witnesses and their invited guests in some 240 lands will “attend” a global convention this summer with the theme “Always Rejoice”!

For the first time in their history of holding conventions, Jehovah’s Witnesses have moved this highly anticipated annual event to a streaming platform. Congregations, families, and guests will view the program during July and August 2020. Typically, these conventions are held in stadiums, arenas, conference halls, and smaller gathering places around the world.

Locally, the convention was scheduled to be held during August to September 2020 at the Nasrec in Johannesburg, where 50 000 were expected to attend.

The convention was cancelled in April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our worship is centered on our

mutual love for our God and for each other, irrespective of where we are physically,” said Siphiwe Mkwanazi, Local spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“This year’s convention program underscores the unity of our international family and the joy that people can have against a backdrop of stress and despair.”

The two Christian principles guiding the Witnesses’ historic decision are respect for the sanctity of life and love of neighbour. “As much as we long to meet together, life is far too precious to put at risk,” said Siphiwe Mkwanazi.

“The virtual meetings we have held over the past four months have proved to all of us that it’s not about where we are physically. It’s about where we are spiritually.

In many ways we are closer as a spiritual family than ever before.”The program is to be released in six installments, each corresponding to a morning or afternoon session of what

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would have been three successive convention days.

Many congregations and families will view the first convention session during the weekend of July 11-12.

Congregations have been encouraged to hold a brief spiritual discussion over a video conferencing platform to open the session and then announce that the convention program can be viewed on JW Broadcasting from the participants’homes.

Arrangements have been made to bring smaller“breakout” groups together at the conclusion of each session to discuss convention highlights. The final weekend of the virtual event is scheduled for August 29-30. Those interested in viewing the convention can access the program on jw.org, available under the “Library” tab. There is no charge for viewing the convention.

For more information, please contact Siphiwe Mkwanazi at 082 907 6722 or Siphumelele Twala 072 627 7774 or visit jw.org.

Tshwane Bulletin

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Having been born in Soshanguve, the proud “Tshwane boy” as he calls himself, praised his parents for teaching him the importance of giving when he was growing up.

Lekgwathi gives back to the community

By Tebogo Senosha

F

ormer Orlando Pirates skipper, Lucky Lekgwathi through his Lucky Lekgwathi Foundation teamed up with Soshanguve Plaza Management to donate food parcels, blankets and heaters to Mphuthi Old Age home in Soshanguve Block JJ recently.

“Phinda Mzala” as he is affectionately known to the Pirates faithfuls confirmed that through his foundation, has managed to help many communities since its inception in 2015.

Having been born in Soshanguve, the proud “Tshwane

I

am grateful beyond words,” said Amanda Mthandi after the Banyana Banyana forward penned a one year deal, with an option to extend, with Spanish Second Division side Badajoz.

She becomes the second South African woman football player to make a move to Spain, following in the footsteps of Nothando Vilakazi who has signed for EDF Logrono in the Premier Division recently .

boy” as he calls himself, praised his parents for teaching him the importance of giving when he was growing up.

“I was born in Soshanguve and I should start by giving here. My parents taught me that taking care of old people comes with a lot of blessings. This is a touchy place for me because my mother is also an elderly woman. When I look at her and look at these grannies, I see her.

So that is what motivated me to always make sure that I give to older people.

“I have been to various places in Mamelodi and Johannesburg to donate food parcels and to cook for some beneficiaries. We are not only focusing on the same place.

Wherever I can help, I help.

Today God empowered me to help here,” said Lekgwathi.

He also described the warm

reception he received from the elderly at Block JJ when donating the blankets and other things.

“Our old people were so happy about the donations. I call them our blessings. They were genuinely happy and they wished me well in all I do so that I can continue helping not only them, but everyone who needs help,” he said.

Asked whether he thought our local government was doing enough to take care of the vulnerable and the senior citizens in the townships especially during these difficult times of Covid-19, Lekgwathi emphasized that government was not doing enough for the people in the townships as the food parcels which were intended for the poor never reached their intended destinations.

However, Lekgwathi was

adamant in continuing to help where he can, further urging those who also wanted to donate to his foundation to contact him on all his social media accounts in order to help one another in empowering our communities.

Maurine Mphuthi who is the founder of Phuthi Old Age home in Block JJ said the elderly were very happy about the donations.

Mphuthi said the centre caters for 20 old people and the donations would go long way to keeping them warm during the lockdown.

She also said families who would like to bring their elderly were allowed to do so, but on condition that they followed some rules and regulations.

“Because we do not have funds, we have an admission fee that we ask for when a person comes. Because of the virus, we

Banyana Banyana’s Amanda Mthandi signs in Spain “This came as a complete surprise to me. I started talking to the club a couple of weeks ago but then nothing materialised.

I was surprised when talks resumed last week, and before I knew it, they sent me documents to sign,” adds Mthandi.

“I was busy with my assignment which is due soon, and I had to put it aside and focus on these document. And now, boom! I

am have signedfor Badajoz. I am so elated and overwhelmed.”

Mthandi, who plays her club football for the University of Johannesburg in the SAFA National Women’s League, where she is also studying and says this move won’t stop derail her from her education.

“The good thing is that due to Covid-19 and the lockdown, we have been studying from

home and writing exams online, so when I move to Spain I will continue with what I have been doing, the way I have been doing it. Also, being in a new place will come in handy as I will have more time to study after training or games –, so I am glad that part of my life will not be disrupted, all I need to do is find the right balance like I have been doing here at home,”

ask for them to be tested first as we fear others would be infected.

We also ask for their grant cards and also make it clear to the families that the card will be the one to take care of the needs of the elderly. Many youths take the grannies’ cards and give them to loan sharks. Some just bring their elders without even visiting or checking up on them,” she said.

Former councillor Rose Maake thanked the Lekgwathi foundation and the Soshanguve Plaza management and their team for helping out the old age centre.

“It is nice to see people joining hands to help out.

We wish this can grow and hopefully a lot of people will assist in future as this centre is not receiving any help from the government,” Maake concluded. said Mthandi.

She adds that she has always wanted to sign abroad but never thought it would happen in Spain.

“Like every footballer, my dream was to play abroad – but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be in one of the best footballing nations, and also so soon. I just can’t wait to meet my new teammates, and learn everything there is to know in my new environment.