Cape Town – Tensions remain high in an informal settlement where residents have been evicted from land owned by the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral).

People tried desperately to save their possessions as their homes were dismantled on Monday and Tuesday morning.
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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley-A well known Kimberley photographer is facing charges on three counts of rape and the manufacture of child pornography.

Rudolf Coetzee,23,was arrested on the 23rd May 2014 by members of the Kimberley Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).

“He appeared in court on the 26 May and  on Monday respectively. The case was remanded until Thursday for a formal bail application. He remains in police custody” colonel Priscilla Naidu said.

Naidu said Coetzee alleged took photos of children in naked and semi naked positions at his studio(which is at home) in Heuwelsig Kimberley.

Police have confiscated thousands of photo’s of children stored on his memory stick.

Investigating officer, D/W/O Elizma Roos is appealing to the public who may have engaged the services of Coetzee to contact her as more charges may emanate through identification of the photos.  

She may be contacted on 0824664512.   
-TDN
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Cape Town – The eviction of people from the Lwandle informal settlement in Strand, Cape Town, was meted out as a punishment to the community for not voting for the DA in the elections, the ANC said on Tuesday.

“The African National Congress condemns the eviction… by the Cape Town metro without being given alternative accommodation as required by the law,” said spokesperson Zizi Kodwa.

“This is tantamount to undermining democracy and the freedom of choice by the DA metro.”

Sanral land

On Monday, the municipality’s human settlements MMC Siyabulela Mamkeli said the eviction was the enforcement of a Western Cape High Court order granted earlier this year to the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral).

“The interdict authorised the sheriff and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to give effect to the provisions of this order against any person in breach of this order or structure erected after the service of this order,” said Mamkeli in a statement.

“Further enquires in this regard should be directed to Sanral. The sheriff of the court has been assisted by its contractors to remove the structures following an illegal land invasion on this Sanral-owned land.”

Kodwa said the ruling party had contacted the national transport department, who owned the land, and the human settlements department to intervene on behalf of the community.

“We have been assured that teams have already been dispatched by the national government to investigate what options of intervention can be considered,” he said.

‘DA does not care for the poor’

“This once more proves that the DA does not care for the poor.”

Mamkeli said police supported the sheriff of the court’s actions.

“City law enforcement agencies were present, on the specific request from the sheriff of the court and the SAPS. City law enforcement has no role in the removal of structures,” said Mamkeli.

“The City has repeatedly urged Sanral to protect their land against the continual and new land invasions. As the land in question is owned by Sanral, the City has not been responsible for policing these informal settlements.”

Sanral had appointed a private company to ensure the settlement did not grow further, but new structures continued to be built on the Sanral land.

“As the settlements are on Sanral land, the city may not provide services without the consent of the land owner, which in this case is Sanral,” said the MMC.

“Previously, as part of our commitment to building a caring city, the city offered to provide a certain number of container toilets in the settlements, which Sanral allowed.”

The toilets were subsequently vandalised and damaged beyond repair.

Ward councillors requested the city to provide additional services, which were provided on the periphery of city-owned land, adjacent to Sanral’s property.

SAPA

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management Gaoage Molapisi send his heartfelt condolences to the families of correctional and SAPS officers who died on a fatal accident between Mahikeng and Rooigrond Correctional Services on Monday afternoon.

According to Traffic Authorities, five Correctional officers were traveling from Rooigrond to Mahikeng with a green Toyota Corrola when they collided with a white sedan Chevrolet of SAPS.

Four Correctional Service officials and one police officer died on the scene while the sixth person died at the hospital bringing the total number of fatalities to six.

Traffic Authorities at the scene said speeding and overtaking might have been the cause of the accident.

MEC Molapisi strongly condemns speeding and reckless driving saying that the department will strengthen its high impact traffic law enforcement interventions to avert such incidents in future.

“Six people dying in one accident is too much, we cannot continue losing lives in such a manner. As we speak now, women are widows and children are orphans because of this reckless behavior on our roads,” concluded Molapisi.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after two vehicles collided and six persons died along Lichtenburg-Mahikeng road near Dihatshwane village on Monday at approximately 14:30. 

“The cause of the collision is not yet known and it is alleged that five persons died on the scene while the sixth one died at the hospital” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

According to information available at this stage, the deceased are five members of Department of Justice and Correctional Services while the other is a member of South African Police Service.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the families of deceased persons, including the member SAPS.

“Our hearts are with the families of all deceased during this difficult time”, said Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo.
Investigation into the matter continues.-TDN
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