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The Citizen
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Residents demand action as Stamvrug Street deteriorates
Businesses and residents along Stamvrug Street in Val-de-Grace near Meyerspark are calling on the metro to urgently resurface and repair the road, which has been plagued by potholes for years. According to residents, the road has not seen proper maintenance since 2015, and its condition has deteriorated significantly. Numerous complaints have been lodged with the municipality, but these have either been ignored or followed up by temporary patch-up jobs that deteriorate within months, leaving the road in an even worse state. The residents said the state of the road poses a serious safety hazard as both lanes are damaged, making it difficult to navigate the heavy traffic on the road and the potholes. They claim that the metro came to fix the potholes, but the work was very poor, and believe that it will not last a month. Hennie Pelser from a business on the street said many businesses and residents have reported the poor condition of the road on several occasions, yet it is only getting worse. 'Every time it was repaired in the past, the repairs lasted only a couple of months, and then the deterioration started again. Unless the road is properly repaired, it will continue to deteriorate.' Pelser said Stamvrug is used by many vehicles daily, due to the two office complexes and townhouses it serves. He said that since the metro was not forthcoming regarding the proper repairs, they found quotations for basic repair, medium repair, and proper repair for the road. 'The contractor has a very good name and personally came to inspect the state of the road before quoting.' The quotations amounted to more than R100 000. 'At Stamvrug Street, the best we can do is to work on that quotation for slurry seal [asphalt], or if the budget is not yet allocated, we can redo the pothole patching. The municipality was using a very poor quality product that would not even last for months. So, it's best we remove it and put something that will carry us for a longer period,' he explained. He said the municipal teams last week came but just did a quick patch job. Not all potholes were filled, he added. 'This is a long-standing issue, which the city is attending to sporadically, and then in three months, all potholes are back. The state of the road forces people to drive on the wrong side of the road, some driving on mountable curbs and sidewalks.' Liane Renicke from a business on the street said the metro needs to resolve this issue urgently. 'The road is worsening day by day, and the potholes are becoming too many due to the traffic. We would appreciate it if the city could come and attend to this and repair the road,' she said. The issue starts from the intersection of Stamvrug and Naboom streets, where potholes are forming on the circle all the way up to the HB Forum building. Tshidi Lesunyane said potholes on Stamvrug Street are now posing a danger to both motorists and pedestrians. 'The road conditions are now impacting traffic flow and could potentially lead to vehicle damage or even accidents. We demand that Tshwane do their job and fix the road.' Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo acknowledged that while complaints had been received and attended to in both 2024 and 2025, the city operates on a reactive maintenance system. Mashigo said no formal assessments of Stamvrug Street were conducted this year as no complaints had been lodged until the one received on June 6. 'The city responds based on complaints received, and without such notifications, maintenance is not initiated.' He added that while potholes on Stamvrug Street will be addressed, the deeper structural cracks require full resurfacing, something that cannot be done without budget approval. 'The city will attend to the potholes, but the cracks can only be properly repaired by removing the current asphalt and resurfacing the road. This has budget implications,' said Mashigo. When asked about the turnaround time for pothole repairs, he added that the city is currently battling a significant maintenance backlog caused by limited resources. 'Resurfacing will depend on the availability of funds and alignment with the city's resurfacing programme,' he said. Mashigo added that Tshwane relies on a reactive maintenance approach, and that means teams are dispatched only once complaints are lodged. As frustrations continue to mount, residents and business owners say they will continue to escalate the matter until long-term solutions are implemented. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Mopani Soccer Talent Search returns to scout SA's rising stars
LIMPOPO – Aspiring young soccer players from across South Africa are invited to participate in the fifth annual Mopani Soccer Talent Search, set to take place from July 3–4 at Nkowankowa Stadium during the school holidays. Founded and hosted by local coach Peace Khosa, the two-day event aims to offer a platform for talented youth to showcase their skills in hopes of being scouted by professional teams. 'The goal has always been to help young players get noticed and signed,' Khosa told the Herald. 'Over the past five years, several players discovered through this talent search have gone on to sign with professional clubs like Baroka FC and Polokwane City. Many of them are now supporting their families.' The event is open to players born between 2004 and 2009. Teams and scouts are also welcome to attend in search of promising talent. Khosa currently coaches Nkowankowa Continental FC and is the founder of the Nkowankowa Barcelona Development Team, which focuses on nurturing young players. His development team has helped players secure positions at top clubs such as Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and the Transnet School of Excellence. Two local success stories, Keneilwe Mocheti and Vicky Mukhawana, are currently part of the Kaizer Chiefs Development Team. Mukhawana has also earned a contract with the club's senior side. 'For me, football isn't about fame or money,' said Khosa. 'When I broke my legs at 14 and could no longer play, I thought my dream was over. But coaching gave me a new purpose. Helping young players succeed is deeply fulfilling.' Khosa will be joined at the event by Amukelani Hlungwani from Baroka FC, as well as several of his former players, including Vukona Ndoro Khosa, Tshepo Mabuza, and Vicky Mukhawana. The registration fee is R100 per player, which can be paid on the day of the event. Participants must bring an ID or birth certificate, training gear, and soccer boots. Vendors and local businesses are welcome to trade at the stadium during the event. For more information, contact Peace Khosa at 083 477 9018. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Former fleet supervisor jailed for demanding bribe from service provider
A former worker of the uMsunduzi Municipality has been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for demanding a bribe from a service provider. Image: File The Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court has sentenced a former employee of Msunduzi Municipality to 10 years' direct imprisonment for demanding a R100,000 bribe from a service provider. The service provider was owed R1.5 million by the municipality. Nhlakanipho Dlamini, 46, was employed as a fleet supervisor by the municipality in January 2020. During the execution of his duties, Dlamini demanded a bribe from the service provider so that he could start processing the R1.5 million. However, he only processed R1 million and continued to demand cash to process the residue amount. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading According to the Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, Dlamini was caught red-handed on January 17, 2020, after collecting cash from the complainant. Mhlongo stated that this followed an intensive investigation and an undercover operation. 'He appeared in court and was released on bail. On August 27, 2024, Dlamini was found guilty on two counts of corruption; hence, he was sentenced,' he said. Additionally, Mhlongo said Dlamini was sentenced to eight years' direct imprisonment for the first count of corruption and another eight years' imprisonment for the second count of corruption. 'Six years of count one and count two will run concurrently, meaning that he will effectively serve a total of 10 years' direct imprisonment,' he clarified. KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General Dr Lesetja Senona, welcomed the sentence and commended the investigating team as well as the prosecution team for the good work.
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Stepfather plotted murder of disabled daughter for insurance payout - gets double life sentence
Nosipho Mafana, 23, was brutally murdered in her sleep by hitmen hired by her adoptive father in a calculated plot to claim over R600,000 in funeral. policy payouts. Image: Supplied A Western Cape stepfather who hired hitmen to kill his adopted daughter has been sentenced to life imprisonment. The High Court of South Africa: Western Cape Division sitting in Knysna convicted and sentenced Mboneleli Msila, who masterminded the plan to kill his disabled daughter so that he could benefit from three funeral policies amounting to R600,000. The victim, 23-year-old Nosipho Mafana, was shot 15 times in April 2022. She was adopted by Msila and his wife when she was 11 years old. Msila hired hitmen Mbulelo Jack, Monde Tshemese, and Lungisile Lucas to carry out the hit. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Msila received a double life sentence- one for murder and the other for conspiracy to commit murder. Tshemese, who carried out the hit, also received two life sentences, as well as five years for illegal possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. Jack and Lucas were sentenced to 17 years' direct imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder and a further 17 years for murder. The court ordered their sentences to run concurrently, meaning they will each serve 17 years effectively. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the court found that the group had orchestrated a detailed plan, assigning specific roles to each man in a plot fuelled by greed and financial gain. "The well-orchestrated plan began in April 2021, when Mfana, under Msila's instruction, took out a R100,000 funeral policy with Standard Bank. The policy would pay out R200,000 in the event of an unnatural death. Msila was the beneficiary of this funeral policy," said Ntabazalila. In February 2022, another policy worth R200,000 was taken out with FNB, this time with Msila's sister-in-law listed as the beneficiary. A third policy with Capitec was also increased from R50,000 to R100,000 in March 2022, with his wife as the beneficiary. To execute the killing, Msila first approached his neighbour, offering him R40,000 and a firearm to commit the murder. When the neighbour declined, Msila turned to his nephew and three accomplices, Jack, Tshemese, and Lucas. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading On the night of April 30, 2022, the men entered Msila's property at 15 Cuba Street, KwaNokuthula, Plettenberg Bay. Jack and Tshemese entered the lounge where Mafana was sleeping on a mattress next to two other young women. Jack identified Mafana, and Tshemese opened fire, shooting her 15 times. Lucas stood guard outside. "The plan fell apart when a tin collector observed the three men when they entered the yard. He saw Lucas standing guard in the yard, and the other two men entered the house. He knew the three men as they lived in the area. He saw flashes of light like firecrackers from the house," said Ntabazalila. "He also observed the men leaving the house after numerous shots were fired. He reported the shooting incident to the investigating officer, whom he knew. He identified Jack and Lucas through a photographic identification exercise. He also took the investigating officer to Tshemese's residence and pointed him out." Msila submitted a claim to Standard Bank following Mafana's death, but the payout was blocked pending an investigation. However, FNB and Capitec paid out R200,000 each to Msila's sister-in-law and wife. Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Nicolette Bell commended the prosecution team and the police for their work, calling the crime 'barbaric.' 'The cruelty accused one showed in putting together the assassination plan, her funeral policy money, and the participants in that plan for their greedy benefit is indicative of the sick society we live in,' said Ntabazalila. 'Our responsibility is to live up to the challenge and ensure that we send each accused who is involved in such barbaric plans to prison for a long time.' IOL News
IOL News
8 hours ago
- General
- IOL News
Thubalethu housing project faces delays and financial mismanagement in KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal's Thubalethu housing project, which has seen R100 million spent since 2017, remains incomplete, raising concerns over delays, financial mismanagement, and the lack of essential infrastructure. Image: Supplied KwaZulu-Natal's housing woes continue to mount, with R100 million spent since 2017 on the incomplete Thubalethu housing project in Mthonjaneni Municipality (Melmoth). Continued delays, escalating costs, and an incomplete delivery of the project are cause for concern, said Riona Gokool, the Democratic Alliance spokesperson on Human Settlements, on Thursday. According to Gokool, Phase 1A has seen 166 units completed and occupied, while an additional 270 houses in Phase 1B remain incomplete and unsecured. She said that basic fittings such as plumbing, electricity, doors, and ceilings have not been installed due to fears of theft and vandalism, with more than 430 houses only partially constructed to roof level. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading In addition, key infrastructure remains absent, with not a single cent of the R60 million allocated for bulk water infrastructure spent to date 'Equally, sewer systems, a reservoir, road access, and a sufficient electricity supply are all either incomplete or delayed. This is while local and district municipalities have cited financial constraints and poor planning coordination,' she stated. Gokool said that the project initially approved in 2012 to eradicate informal settlements has become yet another example of a 'blocked project', a distressing term that has become all too common in South Africa's housing landscape. Gokool called for: Full transparency from the KZN's DHS regarding all contracts, expenditure, and progress on the Thubalethu project. An audit and consequence management process for delays and any possible financial mismanagement. Acceleration of bulk infrastructure rollout, particularly water, sewer, and electricity connections. Engagement with local communities to prevent further vandalism and to involve beneficiaries in safeguarding the site. According to a report presented to the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Human Settlements Portfolio Committee, the housing project experienced various challenges that have hindered progress, with many of these being addressed or are currently being addressed. Continuous delays in the completion of the project have resulted in vandalism and theft. According to the report: The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and engineers identified non-compliance on some sites with specific reference to water seepage and retaining walls. The current electrical power for Thubalethu Township is not sufficient for the whole area of Melmoth. The current area of Thubalethu and its surrounding areas does not have enough water, and the water scheme to source water from Phobane Dam i s under way, but will reach the town of Melmoth and Thubalethu Township in four to eight years from 2021. In June 2023, a Crack Team was formed by the KZN DHS to identify, resolve, and report on all matters that are causing the project to stall. The team identified funding as a challenge for the design of the water purification plant. The finding was that the water borehole was level 2 and therefore needed to be purified to consumable level 0.
