Latest news with #Curlewis
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Tshwane mayor faces jail threat over fresh produce market neglect
After years of neglect, the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market must be fixed within a month, or the city's top officials could end up behind bars. The High Court in Pretoria has handed down a ruling to force the City of Tshwane's mayor and manager to implement upgrades to the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market, as agreed upon in 2022, or face jail time. On Monday, the high court gave the city 30 days to comply with the ruling or mayor Nasiphi Moya and manager Johann Mettler could receive a one-month prison sentence, suspended for a year. This is after the city was found guilty of contempt of court for failing to fix the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market, despite having an R18 million budget. The court case Institute of Market Agents of South Africa chair Gjalt Hooghiemstra welcomed the ruling as the applicant for the declaratory order in January 2022, stating that the first respondent is responsible for providing and facilitating municipal services in terms of Section 1 of the Local Government, Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000. In October 2022, Judge AJ Meersingh ordered the city to submit a precinct draft plan within 60 days and a final plan within 180 days of the order. This included the implementation of the contents of the approved precinct plan in respect of fire and smoke detection compliance, electrical connectivity and facility compliance, security and checkpoint management, lift and hoist facility compliance, repairs to all sanitation facilities and refuse removal facility compliance. ALSO READ: Marabastad Market wins reprieve as stakeholders seek amicable solution It had to be done within 60 days of the date from the city's allocated budget of R18 million for that year. Legal consequences for non-compliance Legal expert Dr Llewelyn Curlewis said the mayor could actually go to jail. 'As the leader of the city, she is, at the end of the day, the responsible party. 'Just as a company's directors, in terms of Article 334 of the Criminal Procedure Code, are responsible for the actions and omissions of the company, so the mayor and the city clerk are responsible for the actions and omissions of the city council. 'But the court is not going to arrest the mayor tomorrow and throw her in jail if it has not yet given the mayor a reasonable time to ensure that the court order is implemented,' he added. Curlewis said the current mayor could go to jail even if the verdict was made when another mayor was in power. City's response to the judgment Curlewis recommended that the mayor work on the court order immediately. City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city was analysing the court judgment in detail to fully understand its implications. ALSO READ: A 'mockery' or 'flimsy attack'? ANC and DA scrap over Tshwane city manager's appointment 'This involves consulting with legal experts, assessing the potential impact on municipal operations and services and determining a course of action. 'The city remains committed to acting in compliance with the law and will communicate any further steps or decisions once the review is complete,' he said. Political background and governance issues The former Tshwane mayor, DA Tshwane caucus leader Cilliers Brink, who was mayor when the events unfolded, said the governance support officer was forced to resign by the ANC coalition in January and the Tshwane Economic Development Agency (Teda) mandate over the market, and much else besides, was terminated. 'Ashraf Adam was assigned to negotiate with the market agents during 2024, which he did. Those negotiations were going well. 'The Teda was also mandated to play a supervisory role at the market, since it was clear the management there was delinquent,' he said. Brink said it was clear that the situation had been neglected by the city's political leadership. 'It is also clear that the MMC for economic development, Sarah Mabotsa, has not been of any assistance to the mayor in managing this situation,' he said. Southern Africa Agricultural Initiative CEO Francois Rossouw welcomed the judgment against the city and said it should be seen as a clear warning to other municipalities managing fresh produce markets to take the management, maintenance and expansion of these markets seriously. NOW READ: Tshwane mayor vows to clean up the capital city
News.com.au
31-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Rezoning paves way for 2000 new homes in Curlewis growth area
About 2000 extra houses are set to be built in Curlewis after plans to rezone a large tract of rural land was given the green light. Approval of stage two of the Jetty Rd Urban Growth Area paves the way for the carve up of 150ha of additional greenfield land on the western edge of Drysdale, Clifton Springs and Curlewis. It follows the completion of stage one, which has already delivered housing 1700 lots. Big plans in mix for strategic Drysdale motel site Developers SOHO Living, Stockland and APD Projects were among those pushing for the amendment that will double the size of existing residential development in the Jetty Rd area. The area currently comprises 15 rural living lots and five farms. Records show Stockland paid $60,000,000 for one 26ha parcel, with potential for a 420-lot subdivision, in McDermott Rd back in April 2022. City of Greater Geelong executive director placemaking Tennille Bradley said stage two of the Jetty Road area would feature a mix of traditional lots and townhouses, as well as retirement and residential village living. She said Tivoli and Greenvale drives would also be duplicated as originally planned to improve traffic conditions for the growing community. 'Stage 2 will facilitate more land supply, supporting housing affordability and the opportunity to live on the Bellarine Peninsula,' Ms Bradley said. 'Development of the new estates will provide jobs for the construction sector, and new residents will support the viability and growth of the Bayview Shopping Centre and Drysdale Town Centre. 'Stage 2 also delivers public open space land, including an extension of the foreshore reserve. There will also be local parks, waterway reserves and trails, including along the western boundary to link the foreshore to the Bellarine Rail Trail.' The Victorian Government's housing plan has set a target of 51,100 greenfield dwellings in Greater Geelong by 2050. Most of this new urban land will be located in Armstrong Creek, Lara and the Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas. Ms Bradley said while it was difficult to forecast, Stage 2 was likely to be developed over the next 10-20 years. 'There are land developers committed to delivering their products within the next three to five years and other landowners will make their own decisions in time,' she said.
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Tuks doctor aims for historic 30th Comrades Marathon finish
MILESTONE HUNTING Llewelyn Curlewis, a University of Pretoria doctor, aims to complete his historic 30th Comrades Marathon, as he highlights the mental and physical challenges of the race. Seen here: Curlewis during his prime. Picture supplied. Age and injury have not stopped the Tuks runner from lining up each year for the historic race in KwaZulu-Natal between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. Back in the mid-90s, Curlewis laced up to take on his first Comrades and he has not looked back since. One such tale is that of Llewelyn Curlewis. The University of Pretoria (Tuks) doctor in the Procedural Law Department, will be hoping to finish his 30th Comrades. While names like Gerda Steyn and Piet Wiersma will likely steal the headlines at the Comrades Marathon on Sunday, there are thousands more unique stories waiting to be told. The mental and physical challenges of the Comrades Marathon "I've never been able to say no to a good adventure. That's just my personality,' said Curlewis. 'My first Comrades was exactly 30 years ago. For me, there really is little or no difference between the so-called "up" or "down" races. What most people don't realise is that every uphill climb has a corresponding downhill in the opposite direction. The place is not known as the Valley of 1,000 Hills for nothing. But yeah, I prefer an 'up' because of the challenge.' While many will see running close to 90 kilometres as a purely physical endeavour, Curlewis explained why it's just as much of a mental challenge. "The Comrades is as much a mental torture as an endurance race. You need a strong body and a strong head. Whatever you do, do it moving forward. Even if it's just a short walk, remember to drink water. I once heard someone say a long time ago that 'nothing is impossible until you are you know what, today is a good day to die trying at least'." Back in his prime, Curlewis managed a personal best time of seven hours and three minutes. These days, his goals have shifted due to the passing years. "The time when I was capable of such times is unfortunately over. Getting older is not for sissies. Sunday, the goal is to finish under 10 hours.' Ultimately though, Curlewis said running is a great activity for the masses. "It doesn't matter if you're young or old, whether you're an aspiring Olympic athlete or just doing it for the nice cold beer afterwards, do it. Running has a way of making you forget about all the other worries of life. It's the one sport where everyone is equal. Regardless of who or what you think you are or where you come from. There's a distance to suit everyone's ability. It can be done almost every day, and sweating has never hurt anyone." @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
