Day: September 4, 2024

Police in Mandeni have arrested two suspects just a few hours after they allegedly shot three people and killed two of them at eMakhwanini in the Mangethe area of Mandeni in KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday afternoon.

The suspects, aged 27 and 37, are expected to appear in the Nyoni Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Police said in a statement that members had responded to reports of a shooting and upon arrival at the scene, found that a 62-year-old man and his 43-year-old daughter were shot and killed, while the deceased’s 57-year-old wife was rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds.

‘Swift investigations uncovered the identities of the suspects and that they were allegedly looking for the deceased’s son whom they accused of having an affair with the girlfriend of one of the suspects.

‘Police immediately put an operation in motion and just after midnight on Tuesday, police pounced on the suspects at residential premises at Majuba area in Mandeni,’ said the police.

The suspects were found in possession of two fire
arms, one being a homemade firearm while the other one had its serial number filed off.

Prior to them shooting the three victims, the suspects had reportedly kidnapped a man at eMakhwanini area in Mangethe and dragged him to the nearby bushes where they tied him to a tree with a rope and gagged his mouth.

The suspects reportedly told the victim that they were going to kill people at a particular homestead and then they would kill him last. The victim managed to free himself and reported the matter to the police.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Health, working together with several organisations, has urged members of the public to show support for children living with cancer and survivors in the month of September.

The department has joined hands with the South African Association of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (SAAPHO), National Cancer Registry (NCR) and CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa to raise awareness about the impact of childhood cancers such as leukaemia, brain cancers and lymphomas in families and communities.

According to the department, cancer is one of the leading causes of death among children and adolescents worldwide.

It is estimated that 400 000 new childhood cancer cases are diagnosed each year, with around 1 000 of these occurring in South Africa, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), with leukaemia being the most common cancer diagnosed in children in South Africa according to the NCR.

‘It is essential to come together in solidarity with those affected and work towards bette
r outcomes for children with cancer.’

Gold September is an internationally recognised month dedicated to raising awareness about childhood cancer.

‘The iconic gold ribbon symbolises the incredible strength, courage, and resilience of children and teenagers impacted by this disease.’

The primary objective of Gold September, as well as ongoing efforts, is to increase public awareness, provide research support, and advocate for improved treatment and care for children and teenagers battling cancer.

‘It is essential to unite to amplify early detection, treatment, and support for affected families in alignment with the WHO’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC),’ said the department.

The GICC aims to elevate the global overall survival rate to 60% by 2030 and to ensure that children and adolescents can lead a life free from pain and suffering, even in the face of such a challenging illness.

The department said children and teenagers with cancer and their families are often confronted with a myriad o
f obstacles that extend far beyond the complexities of treatment. These include economic hardships, lack of community support, and sometimes the distances away from hospitals exacerbate these challenges.

‘The emotional, physical, social, and educational burdens imposed by the disease make the treatment journey incredibly daunting. We as a nation must address the all-encompassing needs of these patients and their families to offer comprehensive support,’ it said.

Meanwhile, one of the significant challenges facing the medical community and those who support their heroic efforts to treat patients is the delayed presentation of children at primary healthcare centres and paediatric oncology units in tertiary hospitals nationwide.

‘To improve early diagnosis, we urge all South Africans to recognise that ‘Children do get cancer’.’

The department said it was essential to be aware of the Siluan Early Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer and to act promptly if any of these signs are apparent in a child you know.

Add
itionally, it encouraged everyone to support families throughout their journey instead of allowing them to feel isolated.

‘The Department of Health extends its appreciation to the dedicated members of the medical community, as well as to the outstanding efforts of civil society, non-governmental organisations, and the compassionate South African public.

‘Their tireless collaboration is instrumental in providing patients with the best care and support.’

Meanwhile, the department said the NCR is committed to providing accurate and up-to-date statistics on childhood cancers to help guide decision-makers and policies to make a meaningful impact on children and families affected by childhood cancers.

CEO of CHOC, Hedley Lewis, said the organisation will continue to advocate for sustained efforts within the childhood cancer community to collectively foster hope by raising awareness about the early warning signs of the disease.

‘Additionally, it is important to empower the public with information to promptly re
port any instances where they suspect a patient may be exhibiting symptoms indicative of childhood cancer,’ he added.

Chair of SAAPHO and Head of Paediatric Oncology at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Professor Gita Naidu, urged society to continue with their unwavering support for the children and families afflicted by cancer.

‘Families are torn apart by the diagnosis of a child with cancer, siblings experience untold anguish, families are thrown into the depths of financial hardships with many unexpected out-of-pocket expenses, and families may experience a breakdown in relationships.’

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has relocated to new premises to better meet its clients’ needs.

In a statement, the RTMC said this move will consolidate all services into one convenient location, eliminating the need for clients to visit multiple offices.

The Eco Park offices and Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) have relocated, and are now operating from Centurion Gate. The Waterfall Driving Licence Centre will remain at its current location and will continue to operate fully.

‘The RTMC DLTC at Eco Park has officially closed its doors and commenced operations at the new premises from Monday, 2 September 2024.

‘Clients are assured that everything possible will be done to ensure that there will be no interruption in service during this relocation, and they are encouraged to collect their licences without delay,’ the RTMC said.

The address for the new offices can be found as follows: Centurion Gate Business Park, Block A to D, 146 Akkerboom Street, Zwartkop, Centurion.

At the new RTMC
offices, clients can enjoy services such as driving licence confirmations, renewals, and the collection of driving licence cards.

To renew your driving licence card, you need:

Identity document (ID)

your current driving licence card or valid South African passport.

Proof of residential address;

If you live in an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date and stamp from the ward councillor confirming your residential address.

‘The RTMC appreciates its clients’ continuous support and looks forward to continuing to provide an excellent service to all current and future clients,’ the RTMC said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The City of Cape Town is rolling out an expanded free park and ride service on Saturday, 7 September 2024, as the Mother City hosts four-time Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks, for their Castle Lager Rugby Championship game against New Zealand at the DHL Stadium.

A sold-out crowd is expected at the DHL Stadium for the 5pm kick-off as the Springboks return to play in Cape Town for the first time since their victory against Wales in front of a 52 000 strong crowd in 2022.

It is also the first time the Springboks go head-to-head with the All Blacks in the Mother City since 2017.

‘Cape Town is a city united in pride and excitement as we prepare to host our world champion Bokke for this historic clash against our greatest rivals. To support this major event, the city is pleased to announce an expanded and free MyCiTi shuttle service for spectators,’ said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

This will cover fans from Century City, the University of Cape Town (UCT), Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC
), Thibault Square and Civic Centre stations.

Stadium gates are expected to open at 12:30pm ahead of the curtain raiser between the Springbok Women against the Barbarian Women at 1:30pm.

The first shuttle from all pick-up points will depart at 12pm.

At the Civic Centre, the city will open its 475 parking bays for ticketed rugby fans on a first-come, first-served basis from 11am.

The free parking areas are accessible from Hertzog Boulevard and Civic Road.

The shuttle service from UCT’s Upper Campus and Century City Steelbridge E-parking will operate until 4:45pm to ensure that all spectators get to the event before the kick-off of the Springbok game at 5pm.

At UCT, spectators can park on the Upper Campus and catch the shuttle at the UCT Shuttle North Stop (beside the dam).

Century City Steelbridge E-Parking will have 500 free parking bays for match ticket holders on a first-come, first-served basis. The parking area on Century Boulevard will be monitored by security but is at the owner’s risk.

On-stree
t parking in the CBD is available for free from 1pm.

The last return bus from the stadium to the pick-up points leaves at 9:30pm.

‘With the game sold out, we anticipate our roads will be congested on match day. But working with the event organiser, we have provided alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles to ensure people avoid being stuck in traffic.

‘We would like to encourage spectators to make use of the park and ride system to alleviate the pressure on the roads,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

However, according to Smith, parking around the stadium is limited and people are discouraged from parking illegally in the residential areas.

‘Illegally parked vehicles will be fined and/or towed away. We are deploying our safety and security personnel to work with SAPS in taking care of safety at this event. This is a wonderful occasion that a lot of people have been anticipating for some time. Let’s work together to make it a seamless and memorable experience for
all,’ Smith added.

Meanwhile, a dedicated e-hailing area will be established on P13 on Greenpoint Main Road between York Road and Wigtown Road.

Residents and motorists are advised that several roads will be closed and restricted on Saturday.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature has paid tribute to former Ministers, Dr Naledi Pandor and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in a special sitting of the legislature.

Pandor retired from government following nearly 30 years of service in roles including the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Minister of Higher Education and Training, twice as Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Education.

Dlamini Zuma also served in various positions, including as Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Health from 1994 to 1999 and as Minister of Foreign Affairs before her retirement.

Both played roles in the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa.

Addressing the public gathering, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the two women represent the epitome of what it is to be a South African
patriot.

‘Our presence today is nothing else but an endorsement for the hard work, the dedication and commitment that they had for our country. They didn’t only love our country, they loved our people. They didn’t only sacrifice for our country, they sacrificed for everyone who is here now to understand that indeed our freedom was not free.

‘They represent every epoch of our freedom and every epoch of our revolution. We don’t have silver, we don’t have gold but we have are these words: Thank you. We are indeed indebted to these two powerful women,’ he said.

In response, former Minister Dlamini-Zuma said: ‘Defend the gains of the revolution and push the frontiers. You must bequeath to the next generation a better Gauteng and a better South Africa than the one you have’.

Meanwhile, former Minister Pandor said: ‘There’s a lot of young people who have time to do a great deal of things and if you can change our nation’s thinking of itself…all you need is the will to make the difference’.

Source: South Africa
n Government News Agency

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has launched the inaugural Broadband and Digital Skills for Municipalities Programme in Polokwane, Limpopo.

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi told participants at the launch that the time is ripe for government to equip councillors with digital skills in order to propel the use of technology to service the nation and grow the economy.

The Broadband and Digital Skills for Municipalities Programme launch drew councillors from the length and breadth of Limpopo and digital experts under one roof.

The DCDT is in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the British High Commission as part of the Declaration of Intent signed between the South African Government and the United Kingdom under the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) Fund.

‘The programme aims to empower municipal managers and councillors to steer the deployment of broadband infrastructure in an inclusive manner to r
each as many of people as possible, more so those who are digitally disconnected from the rest of the world or have been left behind by many current digital advances.

‘In a world where public representatives, more so councillors, are inundated with endless service delivery queries and confronted with hundreds of important decisions to make on their council work daily, having the necessary digital skills will enable them to work smarter, resolve public queries faster and be more accessible to residents,’ Malatsi said.

In an effort to ensure that councillors leverage AI capabilities, DCDT, with SALGA and the British High Commission as partners, intends to roll out this programme to all other provinces in the country so as to leave no one behind.

Speaking at the launch event, UK High Commissioner Antony Phillipson emphasised the significant role of digital technology as a catalyst for economic growth and development.

‘We know that digital technology is a powerful catalyst for economic growth and development.
The impact of digital inclusion can be profound and wide-ranging. This UK-funded project reflects the UK’s commitment to both digital inclusion and partnership with all spheres of the South African government, ensuring that we are leaving no one behind as we transition to a digital future,’ Phillipson said.

The launch will be followed by a two-day training for councillors, which will be a continuous exercise to ensure that councillors are well trained to deliver services to communities for sustainable development in the digital economy.

Source: South African Government News Agency