An open-air lounge in Khayelitsha has been closed by the city for allegedly flouting regulations, which the organisers say is untrue.

Cape Town - The Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) has accused the city council of “attacking black entertainment and culture” in the suburb by shutting down its popular First Sunday initiative.

Rands Cape Town, a company started by brothers Mfundo, 32, and Mshayi Mbeki, 23, operates an open-air lounge on weekends in Khayelitsha, where residents can relax in the company of friends, listen to music and buy prepared food.

It is touted as an alternative to having to party in Cape Town’s CBD and other hubs of night time activity which are far away.

The venue, situated in the Khaya Bazaar Business Complex, one of the first shopping centres built in Khayelitsha, was shut down and issued a R2 300 fine on Saturday during an integrated operation by council officials, the SAPS and liquor monitoring bodies.

Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said the venue was shut down for allegedly selling alcohol without a liquor licence.

“It needs to be understood though that the city council and the police need to address these illegal liquor outlets as they contribute to many attacks, rapes, car-jacking incidents and other problems identified by the crime statistics.

“The city council also has to uphold the rights and quality of lives of residents in Khayelitsha, who complain bitterly about the noise, anti-social behaviour and traffic congestion being experienced due to these venues,” Smith said.

However, the brothers refuted the allegations, saying they did not sell alcohol.

Mfundo said the closure of the venue had tainted its reputation.

“Our business is registered, we don’t sell alcohol and to chase out our patrons like that, without even coming to speak to us first so that we could apologise to our patrons was terrible.

“In fact I am still baffled by the reasons we were provided with before they closed us down and we have never received complaints of noise, like they state.”

The KDF accused the council of forcing the youth of Khayelitsha to have to travel in to the city bowl for entertainment, thereby enriching businesses there.

Rands Cape Town’s initiative gave residents a “Cape Town nightlife” experience in their suburb. Mbeki said they have 18 permanent and 17 casual staff.

“All we wanted to do is start a business that will change the energy in Khayelitsha and perceptions of entertainment in this area.

“We have received a lot of support from our patrons and lot of people associate with this place,” he said.

Mbeki also said by hosting revellers in Khayelitsha, it reduced the risk of car accidents due to people driving under the influence of alcohol.

However, Smith said even this would not prevent accidents from happening.

“For the record, being drunk in public is an offence too, so even if someone were to walk from an establishment while drunk, they would be breaking the law but also putting themselves in harm’s way.”

KDF chairman Ndithini Tyhido accused the council of “killing night life” in Khayelitsha.

He said Rands Cape Town, together with another business that was also shut down on Saturday, offered the same services youth could find in the city such as a venue, food and entertainment.

“The city is launching an attack on black entertainment and culture.

“They want all clubs to be concentrated in the CBD so people should drive all the way to town to get drunk and have fun.

“Places like Rands provide a classy environment were youth can socialise and network, getting them out of taverns such as Ozi’s (which was shut down after several young girls died in a stampede there last year),” Tyhido said.

In the city CBD, First Thursdays is hosted by galleries in and around the Church Street precinct, where patrons are often seen walking the streets consuming alcohol while viewing various art installations.

But Smith said these galleries and revellers were also subjected to the same by-laws which resulted in the closure of Rands Cape Town on Saturday.

The First Thursdays initiative was not “a free for all”.

“To suggest anything else is simply mischievous. If members of the public have concerns about the flouting of legislation at this or any other event, we encourage them to log a complaint with the city’s enforcement agencies.”

He said Cape Town residents were “free to go wherever they like for a night out”, and it was the responsibility of business owners to ensure that their establishments complied with all relevant legislation required to operate a business legally, whether they were situated in the Cape Town CBD, Khayelitsha or Wynberg.

“Establishments all over the city are inspected from time to time and those in various CBDs and the city bowls are fined and closed when they fail to comply,” Smith said.

The Mbeki brothers say their concept provides a platform for up-and-coming entrepreneurs as they showcase the work of local fashion designers and upcoming musicians.

Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are seen as major contributors to the economy, with President Jacob Zuma and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan calling on entrepreneurs who occupy that space to become more active.

In response to Moody’s maintaining its investment grading for South Africa last month, Gordhan said: “We need to find new and innovative ways to search for new engines of growth, to find new ways of igniting growth and creating the jobs that our people desperately require.”

Zuma also announced short-term interventions to boost economic growth and confidence in the government’s abilities as well as to reduce policy uncertainty.

Minister of Small Businesses and Enterprises Lindiwe Zulu’s spokesman, Cornelius Monama said SMMEs were the main drivers of economic growth, poverty reduction, and job creation.

He said the National Development Plan predicted that 90 percent of new jobs would be created by new and emerging businesses.

“New job creation is typically the preserve of newly established enterprises.”

zodidi.dano@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Rcent downpours have raised dam levels by more than 5 percent in the Western Cape, but the province is not in the clear yet.

Cape Town - The recent downpours may have dampened spirits, but it has raised dam levels by more than 5 percent.

The Western Cape’s dam levels have been at a record low as the country struggled through a drought caused by the El Niño warm weather pattern.

Heavy rains over the past few days have watered wilting crops and helped to boost dam levels slightly - although not enough to take the pressure off the water supply system.

Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Anton Bredell said dam levels across the province had swelled to an average of 35.4 percent, up from 30 percent last week.

“Large areas of the province have received much-needed rainfall. This has assisted the agriculture sector in those regions to some extent.

“Unfortunately, we are not in the clear yet and a lot more rain is needed to enable dam levels to recover fully for the summer season.”

Bulshoek Dam and Clanwilliam Dam, both in the Clanwilliam area, have received some relief from the recent rains, as has Voelvlei Dam in the Gouda area. But they are still nowhere near the average levels that Western Cape dams were at this time last year - at nearly 60 percent capacity.

It’s promising news for the dams in the Cape metropolitan region, too, which have also seen a swell, thanks to the rains, although increasing by less - 4.2 percent. The Berg River dam rose 8.1 percent in just a week.

City dams are now at 34 percent, up from 29.8 percent last week, but a far cry from the 51 percent they were at on this day last year.

Local farmers in the province have been facing scorched and wilting crops because of the unusually dry weather.

On the West Coast, canola and wheat crops have been scorched to death, while much of the wheat planted had not even germinated.

Livestock farmers have been feeling the pressure as feed for their animals had grown scarce, and many have sold entire herds, said Agri Western Cape.

Bredell said provincial authorities would hold a drought dialogue this week with relevant stakeholders and experts.

“Part of the agenda to be discussed includes identifying better water management strategies and addressing ways to become more resilient to drought in the future.”

chelsea.geach@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

A Cape Town teenager has died after he was shot three times in the head following a suspected robbery.

Cape Town - A Cape Town teenager has died after he was shot three times in the head following a suspected robbery.

Zubair Joemath, 17, died in hospital after he was attacked in Hanover Park Avenue on Sunday morning

It is believed the Crawford resident was dropped in the area by his parents, where he was visiting friends.

Police say the circumstances surrounding his death are still being investigated.

The teenager was laid to rest on Monday afternoon according to Islamic rites.

Zubair’s friends and family took to Facebook to express their shock and horror over his brutal murder.

Wendy Jacobs Williams posted: “I’m sick to my stomach right now. A 17-year soccer buddy of my son from Crawford, his parents dropped him off in Hanover Park this morning by a friend.

“He got robbed and shot 3 times in the head, was declared brain dead and died. I cannot imagine the pain the parents, family and friends are feeling. Worst I don’t even want to imagine his fear at that moment.”

His cousin Shane Joemath also posted: “RIP Zubair Joemath, you will surely be missed cuz. Gone too soon.”

Police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana confirms a murder docket has been registered for investigation.

“According to information police attended to the complaint at around 1.30am, upon arrival they found a male victim with gunshot wounds,” she says.

“The victim was transported to hospital where he died due to his injuries. No one has been arrested at this stage.”

Rwexana asks anyone with information who can assist with the investigation to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or Philippi SAPS on 021-690 1500.

Daily Voice

The man accused of raping at least three University of Cape Town students is expected to face additional counts of rape.

Cape Town - The man accused of raping at least three University of Cape Town (UCT) students is expected to face additional counts of rape.

The alleged serial rapist appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old suspect – whose multiple identities reportedly delayed his March 2016 arrest – appeared in court in his regular white tracksuit top and faded blue jeans.

His legal counsel requested a decision be made by the State prosecution on what additional charges will be brought against his client.

Currently, the suspect has been positively linked to five charges of rape. More counts – which is how many times a single victim was raped – are expected to be added.

He also faces charges of kidnapping and robbery.

The suspect, who cannot be named until he has pleaded, was arrested in the vicinity of UCT and Rhodes Memorial after allegedly kidnapping female victims, raping them, and stealing their cellphones. It is understood that police located the suspect using the signal from one of the allegedly stolen cellphones.

The suspect was remanded into custody and will appear again on July 21 following further investigations.

African News Agency

Thousands of Cosatu-affiliated workers are expected to descend on Cape Town tomorrow to protest against Metrorail’s service.

Cape Town - Thousands of Cosatu-affiliated workers are expected to descend on Cape Town on Wednesday to protest against Metrorail’s service.

The trade union federation threatened strike action against Metrorail this month in response to train delays, a lack of security and fare increases.

The action comes after Cosatu filed an application with the National Economic and Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) last year under section 77 of the Labour Act against the Public Rail Association of South Africa (Prasa), the City of Cape Town, the provincial government and the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry over the state of the passenger rail operator’s service delivery and the roll-out of MyCiTi services.

Cosatu’s Western Cape regional secretary Tony Ehrenreich said it received a less than satisfactory response from Nedlac, but said the trade union federation was granted permission to go on a protected strike.

“This is an unjust matter. The main reason for the protest is against policy. We are confident all participants will be safe in the strike. This will not be a total shutdown.”

Cosatu’s vice-chairman Andile Ngqaneka read out a list of demands at a media briefing on Monday, which called on Metrorail to refund commuters for docked pay and other expenses as a result of train delays.

“When Metrorail enters into a contract with them to deliver a service, should they fail to deliver the service, they must refund the ticket price.

“Metrorail must also refund the loss of earnings workers incur as a result of coming late to work and losing pay.”

Among Cosatu’s demands was a call for more trains and for the provincial government to improve public transport in rural communities.

“Bosses must stop disciplining workers because of late arrival at work due to Metrorail delays. Also there must be no ticket price increase until the system is fixed and improved,” said Ngqaneka.

Metrorail spokeswoman Riana Scott said during the Nedlac meeting it was acknowledged that Metrorail’s service recovery plan was in progress.

The plan includes refurbishing current stock and upgrading it “to optimal condition” to sustain services until Prasa’s modernisation programme delivers “critical mass to meet demand”, she said.

“As the infrastructure is repaired we are able to improve punctuality and as we receive refurbished train-sets from the contractors we can add capacity to meet demand.

“If Metrorail had not been deliberately targeted with a series of attacks earlier this year, the region would now have been performing to much higher standards.

“The loss of key infrastructure was significant and we warned that recovery would be progressive.”

This year at least 17 trains were damaged through arson and vandalism, amounting to about R70 million in infrastructureloss.

Scott said the Western Cape was not the only province affected.

She said other regions suffered similar incidents of vandalism and no spare capacity existed to re-direct to the province.

“Despite the setback, trains continue to operate daily, complying with Metrorail’s Conditions of Carriage.

“Prasa’s multi-billion rand modernisation roll-out is already evident in the Western Cape, with several projects completed and many more in progress, including the upgrade of stations, signalling and construction of the new nerve centre.”

yolisa.tswanya@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Mayor Patricia de Lille has challenged prospective investors and developers to come up with a solution for Cape Town’s unfinished highways.

Cape Town - Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille has challenged prospective investors and developers to come up with a solution that will address the congestion in the Foreshore Freeway Precinct. Affordable housing opportunities must form part of the proposals.

De Lille, speaking at the MyCiTi foreshore staging area at FW de Klerk Boulevard on Tuesday morning, said the City of Cape Town intends issuing a document calling for solutions on July 8.

“The unfinished highways on the western, central and eastern side of the Foreshore Freeway Precinct have been part of the city landscape for nearly five decades now. They are the theme of many urban legends - we have all heard imaginative stories about how they came about and why they were built, seemingly leading to nowhere,” said De Lille.

Engineers designed the unfinished freeways in the 1970s, and De Lille says the traffic flowing into and out of the city was not on the level that the city was experiencing today.

The project to complete the unfinished freeways was subsequently abandoned, mainly due to a lack of funds and because the volume of traffic flowing was too low to warrant further investment.

“Now about 50 years later these skeleton-like structures still stand unfinished and unused, in the midst of horrific traffic congestion. Not only are they useless, other than for film shoots, they are also preventing the development of prime city-owned land - known as the Foreshore Freeway Precinct - that is locked in under and between the existing highways and the harbour,” she said.

The city intends to leverage the city-owned land beneath the unfinished bridges for development.

Part of the conditions for the development will be that it include the funds to complete the unfinished bridges, alleviate congestion and provide affordable housing.

“This document - called the Prospectus for the Development of the Foreshore Freeway Precinct - will provide interested parties with all of the necessary information about the city-owned land that we will make available to the private sector in return for the provision of road infrastructure and a development that will drive sustainable economic growth,” said De Lille.

gadeeja.abbas@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

The City of Cape Town says the tender for the completion of the landmark bridge must be aimed at easing traffic congestion and providing affordable housing.

Cape Town - The City of Cape Town will soon begin looking for a private sector partner to begin work on its landmark incomplete bridge in the city centre, a project which must be aimed at easing traffic congestion and providing affordable housing.

This was told by City Mayor Patricia de Lille who on Tuesday announced the impending process. “We are looking forward to finding a partner from the private sector who will be able to provide us with an imaginative and creative solution – one that will add to the attractiveness of Cape Town as an international destination, and at the same time assist us to address the challenges of a steadily growing city centre where traffic congestion is impeding the realisation of the city’s full potential.”

Construction on the incomplete highway – located above what is known as the Foreshore Freeway Precinct, which consists of City-owned land – began in the 1970s but was abandoned due to a lack of funds and low traffic numbers.

Almost 50 years later, the City will on July 8 issue a document on its website “calling on prospective investors and developers, or a consortium, to provide [the City] with a solution which will address the congestion [the City is] currently facing in this precinct”.

The document – the “Prospectus for the Development of the Foreshore Freeway Precinct” – will provide prospective investors and developers with all necessary information regarding the City-owned land which will be traded to the private sector in exchange for “the provision of road infrastructure and a development that will drive sustainable economic growth”.

“A pivotal requirement for those wanting to bid is that their development proposal must provide housing opportunities for a diverse cross-section of income groups,” said De Lille.

“By this, I mean, that a percentage of this development must be earmarked for affordable housing opportunities to those beneficiaries and applicants who qualify for these opportunities in terms of the City’s policies,” she said.

De Lille said this requirement needed to be met as it formed part of the City’s commitment to “address the legacy of apartheid spatial planning” by providing low-income residents with housing close to the central business district and in turn, work opportunities.

In addition, the prospectus – a public document – would also provide information on the size and exact location of the land, the requirements for the development proposals coming from the private sector, timelines, and the bidding processes to be followed.

The public will also be able to provide input by commenting on bidders’ proposals and designs once the process gets underway.

ANA

A bitter row is raging between local residents and the Athlone School for the Blind over the demolition of a 60-year-old manor house to make way for a social housing development.

Cape Town - A bitter row is raging between local residents and the Athlone School for the Blind over the demolition of a 60-year-old manor house to make way for a social housing development.

Residents are concerned about the impact on pupils of the development which will see over 900 flats being built 15m to 20m from the school's hostel in Bellville South.

They are also concerned about the impact of a high density development on infrastructure and traffic in the area.

“We have been labelled anti-poor but that is far from the truth,” said Ricardo Persens, chairman of the Glenroma Forum, which represents residents.

“We are concerned about the impact of a development we don’t believe was well thought out and which just seems to have been bulldozed through.”

The Athlone School for the Blind Association reportedly sold the manor house, which is on just over 7ha for financial reasons, but the communities of Glenhaven and Beroma in Bellville South are fighting the proposed development and are raising funds for legal action.

They have also laid a criminal complaint, saying the historic home had been misrepresented in the environmental impact assessment by not being identified as having heritage value.

The home was demolished earlier this month.

Persens said they had brought the misrepresentation to the attention of Heritage Western Cape, but were told there was nothing that could be done as the decision was made in 2010/ 2011.

Persens outlined some of their concerns in a letter to mayor Patricia de Lille earlier this year, which highlighted inadequate public participation in the rezoning process.

“The community became aware that a historic manor house on the property was never mentioned in the environmental impact assessment.

“After becoming aware that the developer and the site owner had been demolishing the structure, we alerted Heritage Western Cape, the Department of Environmental Affairs and the city.”

He said despite two cease work orders being issued, the contractor had continued.

Persens said in his letter he believed the process was fundamentally flawed and asked the council to enforce a stoppage of all work currently taking place on site.

The Glenroma Forum also said the council had ignored the fact that the association of the Athlone School for the Blind, which was started by the Anglican Church in 1927, did not have the authority to sell the property without Archbishop Thabo Makgoba’s signature.

Shelley Christians, who has been assisting the forum, said Makgoba was a trustee and, according to the title deed, the Archbishop had to jointly sign if the land was sold.

Currently the only signature was from the school association chairman Brian Beck, which meant the sale was not legitimate, they believed.

She said they wrote to Makgoba, who in turn asked Bishop Raphael Hess to look into the matter.

On June 1, Hess sent a letter to De Lille requesting a halt to any demolition or “any other construction work on the premises”.

He wrote: “We believe that the Anglican Church is a trustee and therefore needs to be consulted regarding the sale and demolition of property on the premises of the Athlone School for the Blind.”

But this too received no response, Christians said.

The Cape Argus tried to reach Beck on Monday, but was referred to the association's legal adviser Lloyd Fortuin, who said he was not in a position to issue a statement on their behalf.

Johan van der Merwe, mayoral committee member for energy, environmental and spatial planning said an application for rezoning was approved by the council in 2014 for a general residential development of 944 residential flat units.

He said the application submitted and processed by the city council followed the correct public participation processes as required in terms of the council’s notification policy and the Land Use Planning Ordinance 15 of 1985, which was applicable at the time.

Van der Merwe said the environmental and heritage authorisations made reference to the subject properties on which the development was proposed and the decisions in this regard would include all structures on the property.

“The authorisations were granted by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning: Western Cape Government.”

helen.bamford@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

A Bantry Bay home has been sold for a record price of R290 million, with a Porsche Cayenne and an Aston Martin DB9 thrown into the deal.

Cape Town - When you buy a house, the only thing the seller gives you is a set of keys to your new home.

But a German couple who bought a Bantry Bay home for a record price of R290 million, had a Porsche Cayenne and an Aston Martin DB9 thrown into the deal. The record sale was made by Dogon Property Group estate agent Adrien Epstein, who described the entire sale as “exciting”.

“I felt exhilarated. The seller and purchaser were very upbeat about the transaction and the entire negotiation and closing of the deal was done in an exciting and co-operative manner by all parties.”

He said the sale of the property took two days last month, and the couple would be using it as a holiday pad.

“They were not planning on buying such an expensive property, but they fell in love with it. It has spectacular views and it is a spectacular home.”

The luxury home stands on 5 000m² land and has four family bedrooms, three guest bedrooms, two staff bedrooms and a wrap-around swimming pool.

Epstein said that the seller wanted to make sure that the property was not disturbed so he bought the plots next to it.

The plots that flank it are around 1 000m² each, so allowing the sea-and-mountain-facing home to stand out.

Epstein said that the closest record sale he made as an agent was R50m.

He said that after the sale was made they had to celebrate, so he, his team, the buyers and Dogon chief executives Denise Dogon and Jacky Atlas, along with mutual friends, partied in the home.

The award-winning house was built two years ago. It was designed by architects SAOTA and has had one owner.

Its accolades include the most popular vote category in the international 2016 Architizer A+ Award for private houses over 500m², as well as the 2016 Lafarge Artevia Decorative Concrete Awards, in the category: House with a view.

“It has 360° views at the top of Bantry Bay overlooking the Atlantic Seaboard and Clifton.

It has won international architectural awards and is the highest price ever achieved for a house in South Africa and on the continent of Africa.”

SAOTA’s director, Philip Olmesdahl, who led the project team, said the key to the design was balancing “exposure to the 360° views with the need for privacy, and respecting Table Mountain”.

Tamaryn Fourie, senior associate at SAOTA said that the site of the home bordered a national park, and it was decided to restrict the main building to two storeys.

“The contours of the steep and visible site were respected in the design, with sensitive massing and minimal excavating.

“The break from natural ground is softened by inclined shaped walls planted with indigenous flora. While the lower levels are securely rooted in this planted plinth, the top levels appear delicate and almost weightless, as they are supported by pre- and post-tensioned beams and minimal steel columns.

“Floating above the glazing, the zinc roof adds a final plane hovering just above the national park boundary.”

The home boasts a horseshoe layout that maximises the vista views and offers a centrally located kitchen.

“It is a house for all seasons and moods of climate and landscape.

“An extended covered canopy reaches right to the end of the site framing views of Clifton, the Twelve Apostles and Lion’s Head,” she said.

yolisa.tswanya@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Former police colonel Chris Prinsloo has been sentenced to 18 years after pleading guilty to being involved in the illegal gun trade.

Cape Town - Former police colonel Chris Prinsloo, who was involved in the illegal gun trade, has been sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment for a string of charges, including corruption, racketeering and theft.

The former Gauteng top cop was arrested as part of a lengthy investigation into gangsters and the illegal gun trade in the Western Cape last year.

He entered into a plea agreement with the State at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Prinsloo, a veteran police officer with almost 35 years under his belt, was in charge of Gauteng’s firearm licensing and was believed to have sold 2 400 firearms between 2007 and 2015, along with his co-accused, Allen Raves.

Raves, a National Heritage Act inspector of firearms, is out on bail.

The two allegedly made about R2 million from their illegal activities.

Prinsloo, 55, was arrested in Vereeniging at the beginning of last year in connection with the theft of 750 rounds of ammunition.

The bullets were found at his home.

On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to 11 charges.

He admitted that he was guilty of the crimes.

The State argued that he would have continued with his crimes had he not been arrested.

Prinsloo did not prioritise his duties as a police officer because of the money he had made from his illegal activities, according to the State.

The State said Prinsloo damaged the reputation of the police service and did not hesitate to use police resources derived from taxpayers for many years to commit crimes while still earning his salary as a police officer.

The State argued that his crimes were of a serious nature and that he should be given the maximum sentence.

The plea agreement said everyone had a right to safety, including the right to be free from violence, and because Prinsloo misused firearms and ammunition, he had violated the public’s rights.

The State said it was mandated to protect the public’s right to safety and it was his job to protect the community.

Instead of doing that, he had neglected his duties and sold firearms to criminals, and thus contributed to the country’s high crime rate.

His lawyers said he had pleaded guilty because he wanted to save the State resources and the court’s time.

Prinsloo’s lawyer, Grant Smith, told the court that since Prinsloo was arrested, he had co-operated with the police.

He had led them to the location where the weapons were delivered and was willing to undertake life-threatening operations in assisting the police with their investigation.

He said Prinsloo was willing to testify against Raves.

Speaking to the media after Tuesday’s court proceedings, Smith said his client had entered into a plea with the State because he wanted to come clean after realising he had transgressed and wanted to take responsibility.

He said the 18-year sentence was fair as Prinsloo had faced a minimum of 25 years.

Cape Times

Top cop Lieutenant-General Khombinkosi Jula has vowed the police would “relentlessly pursue” the killers of a Delft policeman killed while on duty.

Cape Town - Police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khombinkosi Jula has vowed the police would “relentlessly pursue” the killers of a Delft policeman killed while on duty last week.

Constable Mthetho Sandla was shot dead last Monday after responding to an attempted robbery at a Delft petrol station. He and his partner, who is said to be recovering, were shot by two men armed with AK-47 assault rifles.

At the policeman’s memorial service, held at the St Matthews Church in Delft on Tuesday, Jula assured the Sandla family that the perpetrators would be caught.

“Those who have killed Sandla will be relentlessly pursued until they are arrested.”

Jula said in the four months he had been in office, there had been several attacks on police officers.

“Three of them, including Sandla, have died. The death of Sandla speaks to how dangerous the community has become.

“There are areas where you can’t distinguish criminals from the community... As police we need to separate criminals from the community.”

Jula’s words were echoed by Police and Civil Rights Union provincial secretary Mncedisi Mbolekwa, who called for justice to take its course and for police killers not to be handed bail.

“You cannot get bail if you kill a police member. This should be legislated in the law books,” Mbolekwa said.

The family, who were too emotional, sat in their designated seats in the church, weeping. Tears rolled down his girlfriend and colleague constable Noludwe Tshanga’s face as she kept glancing at the picture of him displayed on the overhead projector. She was comforted by two of Sandla’s aunts.

Led by Jula, the family lit candles for Sandla. Tshanga was handed flowers and a photo frame with a picture of the slain officer.

Sandla’s uncle, Mzivukile Sandla, said the family had high expectations of him.

“Mthetho honoured his work. He was a good child and whenever I was facing difficulties he was always willing to help. He died a hero.

“I don’t know what is happening in South Africa. Police are here to protect us, but we are the same people who attack them,” he said.

Sandla had been with the Delft police for 11 years.

Delft station commander Colonel Luyanda Damoyi described Sandla as a “disciplined worker”.

“When I got the news of his murder I never questioned whether he was wearing a bullet proof vest or not, because I knew he was disciplined and would always wear it unlike other police officers who I need to remind.

“Mthetho never disappointed or embarrassed your family,” he told the bereaved. “He was a good example. We as the police are proud of him. He died with his boots on, going to a crime scene to prevent a crime,” Damoyi said.

The family received a R15 000 donation from a Caltex garage representative.

zodidi.dano@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

The inner workings of one of SA’s biggest social grant fraud syndicates has been revealed after one of the 14 people arrested pleaded guilty and turned State witness.

Cape Town - The inner workings of one of South Africa’s biggest social grant fraud syndicates has been revealed after one of the 14 people arrested in the country’s biggest crackdown pleaded guilty and turned State witness.

Nosipho Majola from Mitchells Plain agreed to testify against the members of a crime syndicate which has defrauded the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) of more than R35 million.

The syndicate targeted vulnerable, impoverished and elderly people by siphoning state grants for self benefit. Eight of the suspected fraud syndicate members were Sassa employees.

The Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sentenced Majola to six years imprisonment, suspended for five years on condition that she was not convicted of corruption during this period of suspension.

Majola was caught red-handed during an undercover operation by the province’s Anti-Corruption Task Team.

The mother of three offered an undercover agent R12 500 after he agreed to fraudulently register IDs and arrange for Sassa banking cards.

In June last year, officials based at Sassa’s Matlotsane and Tlokwe offices in the North West Province discovered fraud indicators which led to an investigation. Although the grants were captured, verified and approved in the North West Province, the issuing of the Sassa cards was done in the Western Cape while withdrawals were made in KwaZulu-Natal.

This led to 19 Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) officials being dismissed after disciplinary hearings were held. CPS is a service provider employed by Sassa to distribute grant payments to beneficiaries.

The dismissal of the CPS employees created a situation where it became critical for members of the syndicate to recruit new CPS officials into the fold.

A woman approached a CPS employee and confessed to him that she was part of a syndicate operating from KwaZulu-Natal and that she was looking to recruit. The woman told the employee - who later became an agent for police -she expected him to load Sassa cards and she would provide details of the beneficiaries.

The agent, who will testify for the State, was contacted by one of the co-accused, Nombuyiselo Sigcau from the Eastern Cape.

Sigcau arranged she would meet the agent in the Western Cape in February to hand over 50 IDs which had to be fraudulently registered. The agent would then be paid with 20 of the cards as payment.

After the agent was paid by the syndicate at Cape Town International Airport, police swooped and arrested them. The cash handover was caught on camera and formed part of the State's evidence.

gadeeja.abbas@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

A woman claims a “Harare SAPS detective” conned her out of R1000, making her believe it was bail money for her jailed son.

Cape Town - A woman claims a “cop” conned her out of R1000, making her believe it was bail money for her jailed son.

Zoleka Moni, 43, said her 21-year-old son was arrested on Sunday for assault after getting into a fight with another man.

She got a call from a “Harare SAPS detective” the next day, who “rushed” her into arranging bail money, claiming her son faced three months in prison if she didn’t pay.

“The fight was on Saturday, my son hit another boy with an empty beer bottle on the head,” she explained.

“The next day the police were here and asked him to report to Lingelethu West police station.

“Later that day he called me from the station to say he was getting arrested and was being taken to Harare’s holding cells.

“[On Monday] morning I made my way to court for his appearance but on my way there I received a call from a number I did not know.

“The man told me his name was Peter, an investigator at Harare. He asked me where I was and I told him I was headed to court.”

Zoleka said the person immediately told her to go back home, collect her ID book and R1 500 in cash as bail for her son.

“He said I should draw the money and deposit it at Spar using the number he called on and once he had it, he would drive my son home,” she said.

She deposited R1000, and they agreed the rest would be paid in on Thursday.

“He wouldn’t let me bring the receipt to court, he said it would take long and my son would go to Pollsmoor for three months,” she added.

Little did she know her son was already being freed.

Zoleka said: “Hours later I saw my son walking home and he was surprised when I told him he would have to repay me the bail money because he was just ‘released on a warning’.

“I felt numb at that point because I really hadn’t expected to be robbed by a person of the law.”

Police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana confirms a case of fraud has been opened, but said the investigation would reveal whether the suspect was a cop.

“No one has been arrested as yet,” she added.

Daily Voice

Plans for 254 new double-storey houses on three connected sites in Kommetjie have been rejected by the city council’s spatial planning, environment and land use committee.

Cape Town - Plans for 254 new double-storey houses on three connected sites in Kommetjie have been rejected by the city council’s spatial planning, environment and land use committee (Spelum).

But the Kommetjie Residents and Ratepayers’ Association (KRRA) is still gearing up for a legal challenge in anticipation of the applications being approved by the mayoral committee.

Last year, Mayco approved a similar application to the three considered by Spelum on Wednesday for 107 houses in the same area between Klein Slangkop and Kommetjie.

The council said the area was the last portion of land available for development between the existing town and the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).

But the Spelum committee said in the absence of plans to deal with the heavy traffic over Ou Kaapseweg and the assurance that bulk service infrastructure could cope with the new developments, the applications could not succeed.

The developments would be situated on land wedged between two existing residential estates to its north and south, the Imhoff’s Gift Caravan Park and the naval radio station to the west, and the TMNP to the east. Public objections to two of the applications date back to 2011.

On Wednesday, the KRRA’s lawyer, Megan Adderley of Webber Wentzel, said the traffic situation in the area was a significant issue that had not been adequately addressed. The impact on access to the area via Ou Kaapseweg, which was already overburdened during peak hours, had been ignored, she said.

Adderley said the traffic impact assessment on which city officials had recommended the approvals, was “flawed” and it

would be “irrational” for it to be used as a basis for decision-making.

Furthermore, the traffic impact assessment was also outdated, with more than 30 months having passed since it was compiled.

The Deep South has been identified as the third most congested area in Cape Town.

Adderley said the council had failed to re-advertise notices for two of the developments, and the public had the right to raise new concerns given significant changes in the area since the applications were first lodged.

The applications by Kommetjie Estate Limited and Redcliff Property were resubmitted last year, because of changes to municipal planning laws and tweaks in the development plans.

There had also been delays as a result of appeals to the environmental impact assessment process.

Objections to the plans were lodged twice - in 2011 and last year, when residents said they didn’t want disturbances to the rural nature of the area.

They also cited heritage concerns. But a heritage assessment found the property’s intrinsic heritage value to be limited to the valuable indigenous plant species.

In response to the KRRA’s concerns, council planning officials said the development was in line with its spatial development framework which earmarked the site for urban development.

The additional houses - 44 at Protea Ridge and 210 on two sites off Wireless Road - would represent a 42 percent increase to residences in the area, said Adderley.

Only 900 houses had been built in Kommetjie since 1904.

The KRRA received support from ward councillor Felicity Purchase, who said the developments were “undesirable”.

The council should wait for an updated traffic assessment by Transport for Cape Town (TCT), which should be completed by September, she said.

Purchase said the impact of traffic had not been considered in the development of over 4 000 houses in the wider Deep South.

But TCT officials said developers could not bear the brunt of the city’s transport woes, and it was the council’s responsibility to address transport infrastructure problems.

Millions of rand had already been budgeted to address congestion, they said. The DA’s Simon Liell-Cock said he was “horrified” the city’s traffic assessments were only to the foot of Ou Kaapseweg at Noordhoek Main Road.

The ANC’s Jerimia Thuynsma and the ACDP’s Gerald Siljeur supported the applications, saying it was the council’s responsibility to develop the necessary infrastructure and that this had already been budgeted for.

But the rest of the committee disagreed, and said Mayco would take the final decision.

lindsay.dentlinger@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Police have closed the case of a Mitchells Plain couple who were robbed of R35 000 at gunpoint after withdrawing the cash at a bank.

Cape Town - A Mitchells Plain couple was robbed of R35 000 at gunpoint after withdrawing the cash at a bank in the local shopping centre.

But Rachel van Aarde, 40, says she is in shock after her husband received a text message from Lentegeur police on Tuesday, informing them their case had been closed.

She says on July 2, they went to Absa Bank in Promenade Mall to withdraw R35 000, meant for a car they were buying on Gumtree.

The mother of three says they took a taxi home to Lentegeur and got out in Begonia Street, around the corner from home, when the robbers struck.

“We had just got off when I noticed these three guys get out of the two white cars parked on the corner,” she explains.

“The one with a gun grabbed my husband and another one with a knife slammed me to the ground and said ‘Sisi, I want the bag’.

“Earlier at the mall, my husband had placed the money, which was in four money bags, into my handbag.

“I held onto the bag and covered it with my body. While on the ground, he cut the straps off but I still wouldn’t let my bag go.

“My husband managed to get away and ran off but all I kept thinking was I can’t let go of the bag with the money in it.

“But my husband came back, while this guy had the gun in my mouth screaming for me to give him the bag or he would shoot me, and my husband was also shouting at me to just give them the bag, and I did and they ran off.”

Rachel says they called the cops who took their statement.

“That was the last we heard from them until my husband got the SMS on Tuesday night,” she adds.

“When I went to the station on Wednesday morning, the detective told me she had closed the case from day one already because there were no cameras in our area to capture the incident and we couldn’t say what these guys looked like.”

The traumatised woman says they are still mystified as to how the robbers knew the money was in her bag.

Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that the case was closed.

Daily Voice

Zimbabwean immigrants in Cape Town called for the removal of disgraced President Robert Mugabe after nearly three decades in power.

Cape Town - “Robert Gabriel Mugabe, you are not my president! Robert Mugabe you are not my president!”.

This was the message of Zimbabwean immigrants in Cape Town on Thursday, calling for the removal of disgraced President Robert Mugabe after almost three decades of rule.

Protesting outside of the Zimbabwean consulate in Cape Town, Laswet Savadyea - a representative of the youth movement #Tajamuka - delivered the immigrants' demands.

“You have turned Zimbabwe from the breadbasket of Southern Africa to a basket case. You have turned Zimbabweans into economic immigrants [who] are destitute because of your failed policies,” said Savadyea to roaring approval from his peers.

Many draped in the Zimbabwean flag, the protest follows days of unrest in the Southern African state. It also comes after Pastor Evan Mawarire - who is a leading figure in growing resistance to Mugabe's regime through the social media campaign #ThisFlag - was arrested, appeared in court, and then released on Wednesday.

Despite a clear target on his back, Mawarire has, in an interview with the BBC, again called for Zimbabweans to keep protesting, a call the #Tajamuka in Cape Town and other Zimbabweans are answering.

“You have reduced the Zimbabwe that we know to a Zimbabwe that we don't even recognise,” said Savadyea. “As a leader, Robert Mugabe, you have totally failed to facilitate the coming together of the nation to find its feet and make its way out of the crisis that you created.”

Among the alleged failures of Mugabe and his administration, Savadyea referenced the “massacres of innocent people”, rigged elections, murders of political rivals, isolating the nation, corruption that has “brought the country to its knees”.

Savadyea also spoke on farm grabs, food shortages, and growing hunger in the nation.

“The most productive people in the country, the farmers, were driven away by Mugabe, making millions of blacks homeless and destitute,” he said. “Productive farms have been given to political cronies and family members who left the land foul and unworkable.”

With this and more cited as failures by the Mugabe administration, Savadyea, the #Tajamuka, and Zimbabweans again called for Mugabe to step down.

“As a president you have failed Mugabe and it is time for you to go. We demand your departure from the state house. We demand your departure from even Zimbabwe itself,” said Savadyea.

“Robert Mugabe, the way that you are governing Zimbabwe makes us question whether you are a true Zimbabwean.”

African News Agency

A woman has been arrested at Cape Town International Airport after drugs worth over R1 million were found in her possession.

Cape Town - A 34-year-old woman was arrested at Cape Town International Airport on Thursday after drugs worth over R1 million was found in her possession.

Police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana said the woman was was arrested at 8:30am.

“The suspect was on a flight from OR Tambo to Cape Town International Airport,” Rwexana said. “Police from syndicate crime investigations of Border Police conducted random searches and inside a suitcase of the 34-year-old woman they found five kilogram of Tik hidden between clothing.

“The estimated street value is R1.125 million. The woman was arrested and will appear in the Bellville Magistrates Court on Monday 18 July on charges related to dealing in drugs.”

African News Agency

Two alleged kingpins in a social grant scam involving the South African Social Security Agency were released on bail.

Cape Town - Two alleged kingpins in a social grant scam involving the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), were released on R30 000 bail each, when they appeared in court on Thursday

Neliswa Msimango, of Durban North, and Nombuyiselo Sigcua, of Umtata in the Eastern Cape, launched a bail application in the Bellville District Court before magistrate Ronald Rieckert.

Bail judgment was handed down in the late afternoon, after the testimony of former Scorpions officer Colonel Kobus Roelofse.

Roelofse told the court he was one of a team of detectives who had investigated the fraud, and that the team needed an extra four months to complete the investigation.

He said both women faced multiple counts of fraud and corruption and that he believed that the State had “quite a strong case”.

He added: “Both women are looking at a long prison sentence if convicted.”

He said the investigation started late last year, after information that people were approaching Sassa officials for fraudulent grants.

An under-cover operation was set up, with consent from the authorities.

The idea was to identify the syndicate members, and in the course of the operation an agent was approached by both women, who had copies of forged identity documents.

“They wanted the false IDs captured on the Sassa system, with themselves as beneficiaries,” he said.

He said one of the fake IDs had a photograph of deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.

He said the syndicate targeted Sassa’s old age grant system, as beneficiaries received payments until death, whereas applications for disability grants had to be renewed regularly.

He said Sassa cards were given to Msimango in Cape Town, while withdrawals were made by Sigcau in Durban.

Msimango told the under-cover agent that she had been unemployed since 2001, and that this was how she made her living, he said.

Roelofse was asked by prosecutor Simon Leope what his attitude was to the release of the two accused on bail.

He said bail was “inappropriate in the circumstances”.

Cross-examined by advocate Fanie Slabbert, for Msimango, Roelofse said he did not know what sentence would be imposed on her if found guilty, “but I expect at least 10 years”.

Slabbert seemed taken aback, and said Roelofse was “just saying anything that entered his mind”.

Roelofse said that was not true.

Both women were warned to return to court on September 9, as part of their bail conditions.

They have to report to the police three times a week – Msimango to the police at Durban North, and Sigcua to the police at Umtata, in the Easter Cape.

The magistrate warned them to produce their identity documents to the police when reporting, “to prove that you are not the wife of the deputy president”.

African News Agency

The Human Rights Commission of SA said it would not rule out litigation against companies that prey on the vulnerability of the elderly.

Cape Town - Companies that prey on the vulnerability of the elderly by making unlawful deduction on their old-age grants may face the full might of the law.

The Human Rights Commission of SA (SAHRC) said it would not rule out litigation against the culprits.

Karam Singh, the commission's provincial manager, made the statement during advocate Bokankatla Joseph Malatji, the SAHRC commissioner responsible for disability and older persons, visit to the Monte Rosa Home for the Aged.

“People tend to prey on the vulnerability of the elderly. We work together with the Department of Social Development and those caught stealing from the elderly might face litigation,” she said.

Malatji was appointed as a full time commissioner at the SAHRC in 2009 and is currently responsible for monitoring compliance in two focus areas - disability and older persons.

Clive van Zyl, manager at Monte Rosa, gave Malatji a tour of the home and explained how the residents were taken care of. The complex is home to 115 residents, 35 of whom are wheelchair-bound. It was built in 1895 and has a ramp and lift .

The commission's visit was prompted by reports that the elderly in old-age homes had difficulties coping.

Some of the complaints received by the commission highlighted systemic problems relating to equality, and the disability of older persons. Between April 1 last year and March this year, equality related complaints have represented the single-largest proportion of complaints received, followed by disability-related complaints.

Malatji said:”The elderly usually complain about not getting their medication on time and infrastructure and, as the SAHRC, we strive to do our best to help them.”

People also complained about transport, access to health care and housing.

Singh said the overall aim of Wednesday’s visit was to promote the work of the commission, and entrench a human rights culture in the province.

“The specific objectives of the provincial visit will be to monitor compliance of various institutions to the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities as well as the Older Person's Act. older persons Act. Another issue that the elderly face are unlawful deductions taken out of their social grants.”

Annamaria Blanckenberg, who has been living at the home since 2010, has served on the house committee protecting the rights of her house mates. “We raise all our issues in the meetings and, luckily for us, they attend to all our needs.”

leletu.gxuluwe@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Fishermen from the fishing villages of Struisbaai and Arniston have urged for government intervention to improve their lives.

Cape Town - Fishers say making a living as a line-fisherman has become near impossible, with new environmental laws and quota systems aimed at improving their lives having the opposite effect.

With local government elections in sight, fishermen from the fishing villages of Struisbaai and Arniston have urged for government intervention to improve their lives or face a situation where the traditional line-fishers become a memory.

Both beach towns are popular holiday destinations, but hidden behind the picture perfect image, are two fishing communities crippled by poverty, social ills and unemployment.

Bare kitchen cupboards are not an unusual sight in these communities, particularly during winter months when harsh stormy weather keeps fishers on shore.

Both communities are predominantly dependent on line-fishing quotas since they are prohibited from catching other sea species. But residents are optimistic about the latest round of fishing applications as fishermen eagerly await news if their applications to harvest crayfish and perlemoen are successful.

“We can’t harvest crayfish or abalone but outsiders from the West Coast, Cape Town and surrounding areas are allowed to come and fish here. There are no big factories in our village that can employ our wives and children, so if you come home empty-handed there’s nothing to eat,” Kat Grandfield said.

The Struisbaai fisher, who owns anold-style fishing boat called a “chukkie”, said high levels of poverty was evident in the living conditions of fishers in the region. Grandfield said his crew consisted mainly of fishermen older than 60.

Fishermen now want government to prohibit outsiders from coming into the area to harvest the resources, or at least create a “chukkie” friendly zone where only smaller chukkies are allowed to fish.

Struisbaai fisherman, Stuart Du Plessis, said while there had been positive changes in both communities, the infrastructure in Struisbaai Harbour had disintegrated.

“There are less then 15 chukkies that are still operational as commercial line fish vessels. Annually the small fishing village of Struisbaai is flooded by more than a 100 powerful commercial ski-boats that catch yellowtail and take it out of the community without investing a cent. The local chukkies cannot compete with these rich and powerful line fishermen,” he added.

Du Plessis said line-fishing right holders should be given the opportunity to transfer their fishing rights to modern ski-boats and only they should be allowed to work there.

Sameul Marthinus, 86, is one of the oldest living line-fishers in Kassiesbaai, a little village in Arniston. Marthinus reckons his life has improved over the past two decades and their fishing village has had a much-needed facelift thanks to the Cape Agulhas municipality.

“We have paved roads, where previously there were no roads at all,” he said.

Marthinus said the plight of the line-fishers of Arniston and neighbouring Struisbaai remained a painful tale.

“Our fishermen have always been the losers in the deal. When there’s fish in abundance, the prices suddenly drops because outsiders come and fish in our water, flooding the market with product. Our people still have to beg and bargain for better prices,” he said.

Marthinus, who owns his boat, admits the quota system had caused further hardship for many.

“Youngsters are unemployed, battling social ills, some with low levels of education and they fall into the clutches of crime. You have young girls walking with babies on their arms because with our freedom came social grants,” said Marthinus.

Arniston fisher, Gerald Swart, 60, said while local government authority services were delivering, the issue of unemployment still plagued their village. Swart said it would help the locals if people from other regions could only fish where they lived.

Another local said the fishermen of the area had been buried under laws which had outlawed most fishing communities, forcing many youngsters into a life ofillegal fishing.

warda.meyer@inl.co.za

Cape Argus