Latest news with #COJ
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Heartbroken family mourns e-hailing driver killed just days after buying his first car
A young e-hailing driver, Siyanda Mvelase, 27, was shot and burned at Maponya Mall on Wednesday. Image: Facebook/COJ The aunt of Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase, 27, an e-hailing driver shot and burned at Maponya Mall on Wednesday night, says the family is heartbroken, as he had only bought his car two weeks ago and started working as an Uber driver just two days before he was killed. Zanele Khuzwayo told the media on Thursday in the area that Mvelase had only just begun his work as an Uber driver, two days before his death. 'He was the son of my eldest sister and an only child,' Khuzwayo said. 'He was born in 1998. After finishing matric, he moved to Johannesburg to look for work. I used to help him now and then, but he always tried to stand on his own. Eventually, he moved back home to KwaZulu-Natal.' Mvelase returned to Johannesburg recently to pursue better opportunities, according to his aunt. 'A few months ago, he told me, 'Auntie, I'm coming back to Joburg, and I'm going to get an Uber car,'' she recalled. 'He was so excited. He finally got the car two weeks ago and started working this past Monday. Then boom, by Wednesday night - we got the news.' Khuzwayo said the family was in shock. 'He wanted to make a living and take care of his mother, who is sickly. He had so many plans, and they were all cut short.' 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Mvelase was killed on Wednesday evening, August 13, when unknown gunmen attacked e-hailing drivers outside Maponya Mall. Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said one vehicle was seen stopping at the entrance when four men approached and opened fire on the driver before setting the car alight. 'Another vehicle nearby was also shot at, but the driver managed to flee. That vehicle was also torched,' Nevhuhulwi said. A passerby and the second driver sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to the hospital. A case of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson has been opened for investigation. The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) were deployed to the scene, with police saying the violence is suspected to be linked to ongoing tensions in the taxi industry. IOL News previously reported that the township of Pimville came to a standstill on Thursday as angry residents vowed to shut down Maponya Mall for seven days. The protest was in response to the attack on e-hailing drivers. In retaliation, one minibus taxi was burned by community members. The violent clash follows months of rising tensions between traditional taxi operators and e-hailing services, which have increasingly become flashpoints in South African public transport disputes. Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi expressed outrage over the attack, describing it as both a criminal act and a violation of democratic values. 'The lives of innocent people were put in danger when bullets flew around Maponya Mall,' said Kubayi. 'This is not only a matter of criminality but an affront to our constitutional rights. As a daughter of Soweto, I stand in solidarity with the community.' Kubayi also called for swift justice and a coordinated government response through the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster. In addition, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) urged the government to expedite the implementation of amended National Land Transport Act (NLTA) regulations. SANTACO spokesperson Rebecca Phala said the delay in enforcing the new regulations has created a 'regulatory vacuum', leading to an unchecked influx of unlicensed e-hailing operators. 'This unregulated environment is fuelling safety risks, including hijackings, abductions, and violent crimes linked to the sector,' said Phala. 'SANTACO cannot remain silent. The government must act swiftly to enforce the revised NLTA regulations to ensure the safety of all commuters and operators.' IOL News
IOL News
04-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
DA demands urgent forensic investigation into Alexandra K206 housing allocation crisis
The K206 housing development in Alexandra Image: Supplied Poor administration, corruption, and illegal invasions have severely undermined the integrity of the K206 housing development in Alexandra, leaving many intended beneficiaries frustrated and helpless. Despite being a government-sponsored project designed to provide subsidised housing and promote income generation through rental units, K206 has not achieved its main objectives; instead, it has become a source of confusion, social conflict, and loss of dignity for rightful beneficiaries. This was revealed during a DA oversight visit in Gauteng, prompted by public complaints and the ongoing failure of the City of Johannesburg's (COJ) Department of Human Settlements to act. Despite being the custodian of the project launched in 2010 under the Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP), the department has failed to address the deepening crisis. 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 ✕ Many residents expressed outrage at the lack of transparency and oversight, with some units being allocated to the wrong occupants or hijacked altogether. One resident, who has been waiting for his title deed since 2010, expressed his frustration over his rental room being illegally occupied with the backing of the so-called 'district committee'. Another resident mentioned that legitimate beneficiaries have, at times, been forcibly evicted due to a lack of necessary documentation. A third resident added that the housing allocation confusion stems from the City of Johannesburg's initial decision to place people without granting them full ownership of either the flat or the rental unit. The K206 housing development in Alexandra Image: Supplied Even more concerning is that residents have approached the Housing Tribunal, the Public Protector, and the South African Human Rights Commission, only to discover that the title deeds are ready. Still, the City of Johannesburg is unable to issue them due to an ongoing dispute stemming from the botched housing allocation. It is unacceptable that residents have had to wait 15 years to receive their title deeds. Ownership is a vital aspect of human dignity, as it provides individuals with an asset, a roof over their heads, and security of tenure for their families. This essential right should not be compromised by poor administration or potential corruption. The DA Gauteng demands that the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo and Johannesburg MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, launch an urgent forensic audit on the K206's 6,000 housing units. We seek information on the occupants, rightful owners, the number of units handed over, and the facilitator of this process. Additionally, we want regular updates on the status of title deeds.
The Herald
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Outa takes City of Johannesburg to court over 'unworkable' CCTV bylaw
Outa executive director Stefanie Fick said they want the bylaw overturned due to lack of public participation, lack of rationality and legality. 'Given the extent and impact of the bylaw, it appears limited public participation took place. Alternatively there was insufficient community participation,' she said. 'It would appear the COJ is usurping policing functions by commandeering private CCTV camera systems aimed at ensuring the safety and security of individuals, communities and property within the city, which ... is primarily the function of national and provincial government. For this reason the COJ is overstepping its executive and legislative authority.' The city's registration process is 'irrational, cumbersome and unimplementable', the organisation argued, adding it believes the bylaw will undermine community safety initiatives. 'Placing an enormous administrative burden on a CCTV owner would discourage residents from installing CCTV camera systems. The net result would be a community increasingly exposed to crime, where the police and Johannesburg metropolitan police department are not equipped to effectively deal with pervasive crime.' Outa raised further concerns about the registration process, saying it could compromise privacy and the city's handling of data. 'The COJ may regulate its own CCTV camera systems as it deems fit, but it exceeds its powers by directly interfering with private property rights. What a person does within the boundaries of his property is private and the COJ must not intrude on this privacy.' TimesLIVE
Eyewitness News
24-06-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Tackling rising cost of electricity a top priority, says Electricity Minister Ramokgopa
JOHANNESBURG - Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said that tackling the ever-rising cost of electricity remains one of his top priorities. Although Eskom has made progress in reducing load shedding, the cost of electricity has continued to climb each year. Ramokgopa previously disclosed that power prices had ballooned by 180% over the past decade. Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Tuesday, the minister admitted that escalating tariffs were unfair to consumers. "Electricity is very expensive, so poor households have to make choices between a loaf of bread or buying prepaid units. We are getting to a situation where industries that have got electricity as a dominant input cost are becoming increasingly uncompetitive." ALSO READ: COJ wants to increase electricity surcharge to R270 a month
The South African
22-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
City Power offers free electricity to these Johannesburg residents
City Power has urged low-income Johannesburg residents to sign up for its Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme, which provides 50 kilowatts of electricity per month at no cost. The initiative forms part of efforts to reduce infrastructure damage and recover lost revenue caused by illegal electricity use. Spokesperson Isaac Mangena revealed that the free electricity programme aims to reconnect over 140 000 households who are not paying for electricity. 'Many of these customers are consuming electricity without paying, resulting in massive revenue losses for the utility and the increasing destruction of our infrastructure,' he said. Additionally, by targeting vulnerable groups and formalising their electricity use, the city hopes to clean up its billing system and improve compliance. City Power has also committed to replacing damaged or tampered meters without penalising qualifying residents. The free electricity programme is open to unemployed residents or those earning R7500 or less monthly. Applicants must also be South African citizens or permanent residents, legally occupy the property, and provide the necessary supporting documentation. 'The criteria also include being a South African citizen or permanent resident and being the legal occupants of the property in question,' Mangena explained. 'Supporting documentation such as a valid ID, proof of residence, COJ rates and taxes account, and income verification, such as a SASSA card or affidavit, will be required at registration.' The free electricity initiative is designed to support senior citizens, women and children, persons with disabilities, the unemployed, and child-headed households. City Power said that the programme reinforces the principle of electricity as a fundamental human right. 'The FBE programme is designed to cushion the most vulnerable and ensure access to electricity as a basic human right, while also helping to clean up the billing and compliance environment,' Mangena stated. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
