Month: August 2023

Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has officially handed over the first phase of the Vereeniging Intermodal Taxi Facility (Taxido) to the locals and those in surrounding areas in the Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng.

In April this year, Deputy President Paul Mashatile visited the Sedibeng District Municipality where he made his first stop at the Taxido, which was under construction after breaking ground almost a decade ago.

The Deputy President described the intermodal system as the best way in ensuring efficient public transport.

The long-awaited intermodal system will incorporate retail space, long-distance buses and the train station.

Phase 1 of the project, according to the provincial department, which commenced in December 2022 was undertaken for R30 million.

This department views this upgrade as a step towards better transportation, and economic growth for communities.

The work completed consisted of refurbishing the existing taxi rank to include new hawker stalls, loading shelters and ablution facilities.

The project is in partnership with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), Sedibeng District Municipality and Emfuleni Local Municipality.

The Department had appointed the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) as the implementing agent for the delivery of the intermodal facility.

Speaking at the handing over on Friday, Diale-Tlabela said the taxi rank is critical in turning Vereeniging into an Economic Development Hub and also serves as a symbol of the delivery of the commitment by government to fast-track the delivery of road infrastructure in the province.

“The department has committed itself to deliver transport infrastructure projects to restore and grow the economy and provide access to economic and much-needed job opportunities to the people of the province,” said the MEC.

Diale-Tlabela urged the community and the taxi industry to take care of the facility and avoid vandalising the property.

“I would also like to urge everyone to take good care of this property and avoid vandalism, especially when protesting. This facility is here to service them,” she remarked.

She further stated that the intermodal facility will go a long way in improving the lives of township people by supporting local businesses and the informal trading industry in Vereeniging.

The facility is planned to be expanded into a modernised intermodal facility which will promote government’s priorities of improving the standard of living in townships and improving economic growth and recovery.

“It will further facilitate the provision of a safe, accessible, convenient public transport system.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

Two Namibian male suspects aged 50 and 55 on Saturday were arrested after they were found with two full carcasses of Reedbuck Antelopes at Liselo roadblock in the Zambezi Region.

In a crime report issued to Nampa Sunday, Chief Inspector of the Namibian Police Force Elifas Kuwinga stated that the discovery happened at about 05h00 and that the carcasses were valued at N.dollars 100 000. They were loaded in a grey Ford Ranger pick-up and the suspects allegedly failed to avail a satisfactory explanation or any valid permit for such possession

“The officers spotted a vehicle approaching the roadblock but suddenly made a U-turn and fled, immediately members chased and successfully stopped the vehicle,” the inspector said.

Kuwinga stated that during the search a hunting rifle equipped with a telescope, silencer, one pistol, ammunition and two spent cartridges as well as a spotlight torch and knives were also found.

“The exhibits were seized as evidence and brought to Katima police station, suspects will make their first appearance on 14 August 2023 at Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court as police investigations continue,” Kuwinga said.

In another incident, unknown suspects broke into a room at a guest house in Opuwo in the Kunene Region on Friday and stole items with a combined value of N.dollars 28 390.

The police officer stated that the suspects used an unknown object to gain entrance in the complainant’s room between 11 and 12 August between 19h00 and 05h00.

No items were recovered, the suspects are not yet arrested and police investigations continue, Kuwinga said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Rotary Club of Omole Golden has called on government at all levels to act fast in providing the expected palliatives to the citizens.

Speaking in separate speeches, during the investiture of Rotarian Veronica Isijola, as the 20th President of Rotary Club of Omole Golden in Lagos, the Rotarians called on President Bola Tinubu to act fast in providing the expected palliatives.

They noted that the effect of the fuel subsidy removal was biting harder.

They also said the suffering and hardship being faced by the people daily, in the last one month were excruciating, adding that there was the need for the government to do something urgently to address the situation before it was late.

Delivering his speech, the Guest Speaker, Mr Adekunle Alonge, the First Vice President, Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, said government at all level should ensure that the resources at their disposal were utilised for the benefit of the masses.

Alonge, who was represented by Dr Agbato said looking at the state of change globally, it was obvious that things were getting so hard and people were losing hope.

”The new government talks about renewed hope. But we have not seen the manifestation of that renewed hope.

”So, it is the responsibility of government to ensure that the palliatives they have been provided at a time like this, get to the people that really desired it.

”They should not hoard those palliatives, so that everybody will be happy. That’s my advice,” he said.

The new president of the club, Isijola stood to bring smiles on people’s faces, the club strived to alleviate their sufferings, hence, calling on government to collaborate with the club toward alleviating poverty.

”With the collective strength and effort of all, I am confident that we will create a lasting impact in our community and beyond.

”Together, we will strive to provide access to clean water and sanitation, maternal and child health, eradicate diseases, foster peace and conflict resolution, enhance education and literacy, empower local economies, and safeguard our environment,” she said.

Isijola said the Rotary Club of Omole Golden had the potential to be powerful force for positive change, and to achieve goals.

”Let us remember that ”Service Above Self” is not just a motto; it is the essence of who we are as Rotarians. Together, we can be the change-makers, the trailblazers, and the driving force for good in our community and beyond,” she said.

Isijola called for support from the general public, to enable the club execute the projects it listed for the year.

”With your support, we can continue to improve and impact more lives, bringing smiles to the faces of the less privileged in our society.

”Remember, you have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you,” she said.

Earlier, the immediate past President of the club, Rotarian Ganiyu Lawal, said that the past 12 months had been an exceptionally busy year.

Lawal said the club was privileged to work collectively in reaching out to the society through various projects, aimed at touching lives and raising the stake of Rotary Club of Omole-Golden.

He said upon assumption of office, his team realised the need to organise, execute and implement programmes in line with the Rotary International mandate and the specified project was to meet the needs of the target community, in a bid to fulfil the vision and the core values of the club

According to him, the club kicked off its project implementation process with ”Tree Planting: Supporting the Environment initiative”.

”Nature reveals that planting of tree is one of the easiest ways of improving the environment, beautifying our surroundings and purifying the air, as trees provides natural cooling effects and aids breathing process for man through oxygen,” he said.

The past president said the club planted over 20 trees across the metropolis, delved into education, material and child healthcare, among other projects.

He said within the year, over 21 members were inducted into the club, as it was able to retain 98 per cent of its members.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The body of 22-year-old April Immanuel was allegedly discovered hanging in his room by a friend who came to visit him on Friday at Etayi village in the Omusati Region.

In a crime report issued on Sunday, the police stated that the deceased was last seen that Friday at about 09h00, when he left the Katutura location and went back home.

“It is alleged that the 22-year-old committed suicide, his lifeless body was discovered hanging with a wire around his neck in his sleeping room by a friend who came to visit in the morning time,” the police said.

The police stated that the deceased was staying alone in the house, the next of kin have been notified and the deceased body is kept at Oshikuku Hospital’s mortuary and will be transported to Okahao Police mortuary for autopsy.

In another incident, two Namibian male suspects aged 27 and 32 on Saturday were arrested after allegedly entering the camp of a complainant and slaughtering five Damara breed sheep at Farm Goudini in the Hardap Region.

The police confirmed that the sheep valued at N.dollars 10 000 were slaughtered around 09h30 without the owner’s consent.

“After the preliminary investigations were done, two carcasses and two heads and five skins with trotters were recovered and police investigations continue,” the police said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Eskom has on Sunday implemented Stage 1 load shedding from 5:00 until 16:00, which will be followed by Stage 3 power cuts until 5:00 on Monday.

According the state-owned power utility, Stage 1 load shedding will be implemented from 5:00 until 16:00 on Monday.

“Eskom will provide a further update on Monday or should any significant changes occur.”

Breakdowns, according to Eskom, are currently at 16 547 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 4 507 MW.

“Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit at Arnot and two generating units at Matla power stations were returned to service.

“In the same period, a generating unit at Camden, Duvha, Kendal, Kriel and Majuba power stations was taken offline for repairs,” the statement read on Saturday.

Eskom said the delay in returning to service a generating unit at Kendal and two generating units at Tutuka power stations is contributing to the current capacity constraints.

“Eskom teams are working tirelessly to return these generating units to service.”

The utility is appealing to the members of the public to continue reducing demand by switching off non-essential appliances.

“We would like to thank those who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently, including switching off geysers and pool pumps from 17:00 to 21:00, as this lowers demand and helps in alleviating the pressure on the power system and contributes to lower stages of load shedding.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is calling on the community members who have lost ID books to report to the police station after 98 were found in a home in Selosesha, Free State, along with 100 bank cards.

This is after the Selosesha Public Order Policing members received intelligence-led information on Friday, 11 August 2023 at about 21:30.

“Members followed the information and it took the team to a house in Zone 4, Selosesha.”

The members then met a 28-year-old suspect who, upon searching his room, police found 42 smart card IDs, one Lesotho passport, 55 South African-issued ID books, 105 bank cards from different banks and a birth certificate.

“Investigations are underway to establish the reason for him having personal documents from different people.”

The suspect, the police said, has been arrested for unlawfully being in possession of identification documents and for contravening the Immigration Act.

“Police are pleading with anyone who might have lost or submitted his ID to the 28-year-old to go to Selosesha Police Station so they can retrieve their documents.”

The 28-year-old is expected to appear in the Thaba Nchu Magistrate Court soon.

Source: South African Government News Agency