Latest news with #DavidFoley
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Kariba weed came, saw, but didn't conquer Lonehill Dam
It took Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) R300 000 and 20 days of hiring equipment to clean up the aggressive Kariba weed at Lonehill Dam. The staggering price included the equipment's operator and fuel. Councillor David Foley, from Ward 94, was onsite on June 6, with Rob van der Pauw, putting in more eco granules to ensure that the nine week project to rehabilitate the dam was not in vain. Wendell Africa, stakeholder from JCPZ doing oversight, was at the dam at the same time, and they could all see that the dam is no doubt getting better everyday. Foley said the eco tab granules will purify the water resulting in the reduction of nitrates that the Kariba weed feeds on. 'It breaks down the sludge at the base of the dam, purify the water so it becomes clearer.' Also read: Lonehill Dam breathes again after months being choked by Kariba weed He said the food source of the weed, as in the nitrates, will reduce and limit the growth of the weed, therefore it should die off over time. 'The ecosystem will recover. A good test will be when the frogs return, which means the environment is at a suitable level for nature to thrive. The cost of the eco tab granules will be determined by the success of the exercise, but should not be more than R50 000, as per the initial proposal submitted to JCPZ.' Kariba weed is a free-floating plant that does not attach to the soil; instead, it remains buoyant on the surface of a body of water. The fronds are 0.5–4cm long and broad, with a bristly surface caused by the hair-like strands that join at the end to form eggbeater shapes. Read more: Industrial harvester arrives to tackle Kariba weed at Lonehill Dam The plant has been hovering over the Lonehill Dam since November last year, and since then, experts and authorities have been splitting hairs about how to stop the invasive plant before it harms the fish in the dam. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Law vs livelihood: JMPD removes informal traders from Winnie Mandela Drive
The streets between Winnie Mandela Drive and Boulevard Road, just before Fourways Mall, are usually bustling with activity, and it is all thanks to the informal traders who call this spot their workplace. That all changed on June 19 when JMPD officers swooped in, removing the informal traders and their stalls. The move was based on a call to action from the Fourways Improvement District, a non-profit company, Fourways Mall, and Ward 94 councillor David Foley, who said it is for a very specific reason: 'It's against the law to trade on provincial roads.' Also read: Informal traders, pointsmen, and traffic light tamperers, your days in Fourways are numbered Foley said that the area is slated for a beautification project, aimed at making the spot more welcoming to the visitors and shoppers at Fourways Mall. 'We are planning to beautify the area with plants, so that it is welcoming for people who plan to come to the businesses. It will also be easier for officers to monitor the area.' What does this mean for the informal traders who rely on this spot to make a living? Fatima Mashaba, from Diepsloot, said she started trading in the area in 2022. 'I don't know where to go because this is my only means of income. What is it that my kids are going to eat? I am aware it is against the law, because this is not the first time that the police came to remove us from the area, but there are no jobs. What can we do?' Also read: Community funding initiative continues in order to fence off informal settlement @caxtonjoburgnorth An informal trader on Winnie Mandela Drive and Boulevard Road in Fourways tries to negotiate if authorities can place them elsewhere to trade after being removed from the area. Video: Ditiro Masuku ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North She is not the only one, a second trader, who asked not to be identified, said the authorities should've issued them a warning about their visit, so that they could plan. 'It is not fair because it means today I did not make enough money. If they told us that they were coming, or said: 'Okay, today is your last day, tomorrow don't come here', it would've been better.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
‘We are still waiting for justice': Infected blood victims call on PM to act
In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, campaigners have highlighted the 'physical and emotional burden' of the 'continual fight for fair compensation'. Campaigners handed their letter in to 10 Downing Street on the anniversary of the seminal report into the scandal. The Infected Blood Inquiry concluded that the scandal 'could largely have been avoided' and there was a 'pervasive' cover-up to hide the truth. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. And more than 3,000 people have died as a result while survivors are living with lifelong health implications. A compensation scheme was announced the day after the report was published. Thank you to the Infected Blood Inquiry and all those who gave and listened to the evidence given last week. Hearing from community members directly is essential to IBCA, and we continue to work with the community to shape and improve the compensation service. — David Foley (@IBCA_CEO_UK) May 15, 2025 The Infected Blood Compensation Authority has said, as of May 6, 106 compensation payments have been made, totalling more than £96 million. But concerns have been raised about the scheme, leading to the inquiry holding special hearings to highlight the impact on victims. The new letter states: 'The physical and emotional burden of this continual fight for fair compensation is falling with ever greater weight on the shoulders of those who have already had to campaign for too long.' 'We look to the Government now for recognition of the anxiety and stress the last 12 months of uncertainty have caused and for an assurance that this suffering will not be dragged out further,' adds the letter, which has been co-signed by officials from the Haemophilia Society; Tainted Blood; Haemophilia Wales; Haemophilia Northern Ireland and Tainted Blood – Affected Siblings And Children. Kate Burt, chief executive of the Haemophilia Society, said: 'A year ago, the Infected Blood Inquiry published its devastating report into the multiple failings that led to the contaminated blood scandal. 'The inquiry gave us the truth but we're still waiting for justice. 'Until everyone impacted by this scandal receives fair compensation, there can be no justice. 'Nor can justice be achieved without learning the lessons set out so compellingly in the Infected Blood Inquiry's report. 'The steps taken towards implementing the inquiry's recommendations are welcome but there is a long road ahead. 'We urge the Government to make this a priority for the safety and protection of everyone who uses the NHS today and in the future.' It comes as the Terrance Higgins Trust wrote to inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff highlighting concerns over the compensation scheme. 'We are witnessing a marked increase in both the frequency and intensity of distress among those we support,' the letter from charity chief executive Richard Angell states. The letter adds: 'The victims we work with – everyone with HIV – should not be burdened with further bureaucratic hurdles – such as having to prove diagnoses like 'full-blown AIDS' – nearly two decades of HIV without treatment should speak for itself. 'Their claims are among the most straightforward and should be prioritised accordingly.' The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: 'We are acting on the inquiry's 12 recommendations, so that this never happens again, and to get justice for victims. 'While no amount of compensation will make up for the suffering people have endured, we are committed to delivering compensation as swiftly as possible.'
Powys County Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
‘We are still waiting for justice': Infected blood victims call on PM to act
The Prime Minister has been challenged to give assurances to victims of the infected blood scandal that their 'suffering will not be dragged out further' amid ongoing concerns around the compensation scheme. In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, campaigners have highlighted the 'physical and emotional burden' of the 'continual fight for fair compensation'. Campaigners handed their letter in to 10 Downing Street on the anniversary of the seminal report into the scandal. The Infected Blood Inquiry concluded that the scandal 'could largely have been avoided' and there was a 'pervasive' cover-up to hide the truth. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. And more than 3,000 people have died as a result while survivors are living with lifelong health implications. A compensation scheme was announced the day after the report was published. Thank you to the Infected Blood Inquiry and all those who gave and listened to the evidence given last week. Hearing from community members directly is essential to IBCA, and we continue to work with the community to shape and improve the compensation service. — David Foley (@IBCA_CEO_UK) May 15, 2025 The Infected Blood Compensation Authority has said, as of May 6, 106 compensation payments have been made, totalling more than £96 million. But concerns have been raised about the scheme, leading to the inquiry holding special hearings to highlight the impact on victims. The new letter states: 'The physical and emotional burden of this continual fight for fair compensation is falling with ever greater weight on the shoulders of those who have already had to campaign for too long.' 'We look to the Government now for recognition of the anxiety and stress the last 12 months of uncertainty have caused and for an assurance that this suffering will not be dragged out further,' adds the letter, which has been co-signed by officials from the Haemophilia Society; Tainted Blood; Haemophilia Wales; Haemophilia Northern Ireland and Tainted Blood – Affected Siblings And Children. Kate Burt, chief executive of the Haemophilia Society, said: 'A year ago, the Infected Blood Inquiry published its devastating report into the multiple failings that led to the contaminated blood scandal. 'The inquiry gave us the truth but we're still waiting for justice. 'Until everyone impacted by this scandal receives fair compensation, there can be no justice. 'Nor can justice be achieved without learning the lessons set out so compellingly in the Infected Blood Inquiry's report. 'The steps taken towards implementing the inquiry's recommendations are welcome but there is a long road ahead. 'We urge the Government to make this a priority for the safety and protection of everyone who uses the NHS today and in the future.' It comes as the Terrance Higgins Trust wrote to inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff highlighting concerns over the compensation scheme. 'We are witnessing a marked increase in both the frequency and intensity of distress among those we support,' the letter from charity chief executive Richard Angell states. The letter adds: 'The victims we work with – everyone with HIV – should not be burdened with further bureaucratic hurdles – such as having to prove diagnoses like 'full-blown AIDS' – nearly two decades of HIV without treatment should speak for itself. 'Their claims are among the most straightforward and should be prioritised accordingly.' The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: 'We are acting on the inquiry's 12 recommendations, so that this never happens again, and to get justice for victims. 'While no amount of compensation will make up for the suffering people have endured, we are committed to delivering compensation as swiftly as possible.'
South Wales Guardian
20-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
‘We are still waiting for justice': Infected blood victims call on PM to act
In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, campaigners have highlighted the 'physical and emotional burden' of the 'continual fight for fair compensation'. Campaigners handed their letter in to 10 Downing Street on the anniversary of the seminal report into the scandal. The Infected Blood Inquiry concluded that the scandal 'could largely have been avoided' and there was a 'pervasive' cover-up to hide the truth. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. And more than 3,000 people have died as a result while survivors are living with lifelong health implications. A compensation scheme was announced the day after the report was published. Thank you to the Infected Blood Inquiry and all those who gave and listened to the evidence given last week. Hearing from community members directly is essential to IBCA, and we continue to work with the community to shape and improve the compensation service. — David Foley (@IBCA_CEO_UK) May 15, 2025 The Infected Blood Compensation Authority has said, as of May 6, 106 compensation payments have been made, totalling more than £96 million. But concerns have been raised about the scheme, leading to the inquiry holding special hearings to highlight the impact on victims. The new letter states: 'The physical and emotional burden of this continual fight for fair compensation is falling with ever greater weight on the shoulders of those who have already had to campaign for too long.' 'We look to the Government now for recognition of the anxiety and stress the last 12 months of uncertainty have caused and for an assurance that this suffering will not be dragged out further,' adds the letter, which has been co-signed by officials from the Haemophilia Society; Tainted Blood; Haemophilia Wales; Haemophilia Northern Ireland and Tainted Blood – Affected Siblings And Children. Kate Burt, chief executive of the Haemophilia Society, said: 'A year ago, the Infected Blood Inquiry published its devastating report into the multiple failings that led to the contaminated blood scandal. 'The inquiry gave us the truth but we're still waiting for justice. 'Until everyone impacted by this scandal receives fair compensation, there can be no justice. 'Nor can justice be achieved without learning the lessons set out so compellingly in the Infected Blood Inquiry's report. 'The steps taken towards implementing the inquiry's recommendations are welcome but there is a long road ahead. 'We urge the Government to make this a priority for the safety and protection of everyone who uses the NHS today and in the future.' It comes as the Terrance Higgins Trust wrote to inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff highlighting concerns over the compensation scheme. 'We are witnessing a marked increase in both the frequency and intensity of distress among those we support,' the letter from charity chief executive Richard Angell states. The letter adds: 'The victims we work with – everyone with HIV – should not be burdened with further bureaucratic hurdles – such as having to prove diagnoses like 'full-blown AIDS' – nearly two decades of HIV without treatment should speak for itself. 'Their claims are among the most straightforward and should be prioritised accordingly.' The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: 'We are acting on the inquiry's 12 recommendations, so that this never happens again, and to get justice for victims. 'While no amount of compensation will make up for the suffering people have endured, we are committed to delivering compensation as swiftly as possible.'
