Latest news with #Ekurhuleni
The Herald
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald
'Fraudster' arrested after allegedly confessing to RDP housing scam
A woman who allegedly scammed a number of people by promising to fast-track their applications for government-subsidised housing has been arrested after allegedly walking into the Gauteng department of human settlements office and confessing her crimes. The woman told a senior official at the department's customer support centre earlier this week she had illegally collected more than R100,000 from members of the public, the department said She claimed she could help them 'jump the housing waiting list' and secure Breaking New Ground or RDP houses. The official alerted authorities and the suspect was apprehended in a joint operation by the department and the Ekurhuleni metro police. She is now in police custody and faces charges of fraud. Human settlements MEC Tasneem Motara praised the official who escalated the matter. 'I commend the official who acted responsibly and was not tempted to get involved in corrupt activity herself. We are serious about cracking down on corruption and fraud, especially those who are trying to take advantage of citizens who have a real need to be allocated [housing] as soon as possible.' The department reiterated warnings about housing scams and reminded the public it does not charge for any of its services. It urged residents to remain alert and avoid being duped by individuals who falsely claim to be government officials. 'Please be aware of unscrupulous individuals who pose as officials from the Gauteng department of human settlement — falsely claiming to be MECs or heads of department to deceive and extort money from the public.' TimesLIVE
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Local hospital tackles HIV treatment gaps with new virological failure clinic
The Tambo Memorial Hospital took a significant step in the fight against HIV/Aids by launching a Virological Failure Specialised Clinic to support HIV-positive patients struggling with unsuppressed viral loads and difficulties in adhering to treatment and appointment schedules. This targeted intervention is designed to improve patient outcomes and curb the spread of HIV in surrounding communities. Initially focused on children with high viral loads due to inconsistent treatment and social issues, the clinic quickly expanded its services. ALSO READ: Modderfontein hospital makes weight-loss surgery breakthrough 'When we started, we primarily worked with children whose viral loads were not decreasing because of irregular treatment and social challenges,' said Serengwane Lethuba, the HIV, Aids, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis (HAST) manager at the hospital. 'Soon, we identified a rising number of adult patients on first- and second-line antiretroviral therapy regimens who were also failing to achieve viral suppression. Many of them were being escalated to third-line treatment, prompting urgent intervention. 'The team did a focused sampling of 89 patients experiencing persistent virological failure to better understand the challenges and adapt their approach.' Operating every Tuesday, the clinic is run by a clinical team including a doctor, a clinical nurse practitioner and an HIV testing services (HTS) counsellor. ALSO READ: Steps taken to improve services at Ekurhuleni hospitals Lethuba said that together, they provide personalised and comprehensive care. One of the clinic's key findings has been the impact of non-disclosure of HIV status, which often contributes to poor adherence and ongoing virological failure. 'To address this, we incorporated the social work department into the clinic's multidisciplinary team. Social workers assist in overcoming psychological and social barriers to treatment, helping patients navigate issues around disclosure and providing continuous support. 'This integrated approach has already shown positive outcomes, with many patients achieving viral suppression within three months of targeted intervention.' He said they also use a proactive system in which nurses review patient data and follow up telephonically to remind and encourage patients to attend appointments. 'Once at the clinic, patients receive co-ordinated care from the full team, which includes medical assessments, counselling and psychosocial support. ALSO READ: Edenvale Regional Hospital shares plans for the year ahead 'The initiative supports the national Close the Gap campaign launched by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. 'The campaign seeks to trace patients who defaulted on treatment, those newly diagnosed but not yet on therapy, and individuals failing to suppress the virus.' The Tambo Memorial Hospital has localised this campaign to create a dignified, supportive environment for patients to re-engage with their treatment. HIV-positive individuals in Boksburg, Benoni and nearby areas facing challenges with treatment or viral load suppression are encouraged to visit the Virological Failure Clinic every Tuesday. 'Our specialised clinic is a safe space where patients are empowered and supported to fight HIV effectively,' concluded Lethuba. The clinic is located inside the Tambo Memorial Hospital. For more information, call 011 898 8331. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Tough budget for Ekurhuleni
Ekurhuleni's total expenditure budget of R64.8 budget would be subjected to non-negotiable conditions Ekurhuleni MMC for Finance, Strategy and Corporate Planning, Jongizizwe Dlabathi, on Thursday tabled a R65.5 billion budget. According to Dlabathi, tough economic realities, lack of optimal collection, revenue leakages, weak liquidity position, ineffective expenditure management and the assumption that 90% of municipal revenue should be generated internally, were among key factors in the budget. Bullish about improving alignment and effectiveness of existing revenue collection systems, Dlabathi projected an additional estimated R2.1 billion gross revenue in the current financial year. 'Given that we intend not to borrow over the medium-term, all departments that are involved in the revenue generation value chain will have to pull together to ensure the achievement of our revenue goals in the medium and long-term. 'This will be spearheaded at the level of the Revenue Enhancement Committee that has since been put in place by Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza. 'The budget posture is guided by the directive to ensure a responsive city, working with agility to restore service delivery to communities. 'This directive demands that we focus on the core basics – providing quality, equitable and sustainable services to all in a manner that ensures the ideal quality of life,' said Dlabathi. Non-negotiables He said Ekurhuleni's total expenditure budget of R64.8 budget would be subjected to non-negotiable conditions, which would include: Spending within the allocated budget. Linking spending to the provision of essential services and goods. Fostering economic procurement and realisation of value for money. Strengthening internal capacity to reduce over-reliance on contracted services. ALSO READ: Joburg budget hanging by a thread: ANC fights to get their way as partners gun for them Key expenditure breakdown allocations include: Water and sanitation repairs will receive and maintenance R550 million,mainly to ensure resilient infrastructure that secures a sustainable supply of water and sanitation services—stretching to fixing water and sewer leakages. From the total of R20.7 million earmarked for human settlements, R7.5 million will be channelled towards basic repairs and maintenance work for selected hostels—with the rest covering the maintenance of rental units, including Ekurhuleni Housing Company. The Energy Department will receive R1.4 billion towards infrastructure and equipment maintenance related to substations, network enhancement, with R103 million allocated to the repairing of street and traffic lights, under the Operation Khanyisa Mhali. Additional R254 million has been allocated to the protection of energy infrastructure. Through the ' Siyakhuculula Manje and Clean Kasi ' programme, a total of R226 million has been allocated to environmental resources, waste management repairs, maintenance materials and supplies to support internal capacity to cut grass, maintain cemeteries, remove weeds, prune trees, and maintain landfill sites, wetlands, lakes, and dams. A total of R946 million has been allocated for roads and transport management, with road rehabilitation and pothole patching done under the auspices of the Hlasela Amapotholes project. A total of R41.3 million will be used for repairing and maintaining traffic signals. While more funds are still required, R54 million will go towards addressing sinkholes. Capital expenditure has been allocated R3.1 billion. An employee budget will be R13.4 billion – towards annual salary increments and the recruitment of additional workforce. Dlabathi said the budget will implement the recruitment of 700 permanent cleaners and 290 permanent EMPD (Ekurhuleni Municipal Police Department) officers to maintain strategic offices and buildings. 'A budget of R303 million will be allocated over the medium-term to equip the staff with essential tools of trade necessary to optimise performance. Time provision must prioritise departments that are providing essential services. 'The long-term trajectory is that of implementing the 70/30 ratio for service delivery, wherein 70% of the services are rendered in-house, with 30% contracted. 'As we implement the capital budget, we must not be found wanting with our supply chain management, planning, organising and as well as overseeing the completion of capital projects within time, scope and quality,' added Dlabathi. NOW READ: How Joburg plans to spend R89 billion
Eyewitness News
5 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Ekurhuleni budget: Residents to pay more for water, electricity, sanitation & refuse removal
JOHANNESBURG - Ekurhuleni's Finance MMC Jongizizwe Dlabathi has presented a R65 billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year. This represents an 8.6% increase from 2024/2025's budget, which projected revenue at R60 billion. Dlabathi delivered his budget speech on Thursday morning at the Ekurhuleni city council in Germiston. Just like Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni has seen an increase in its annual budget, with the bulk of its revenue coming from services delivered to residential and commercial customers. Tariff increases have been implemented for the upcoming financial year, which are expected to generate additional income for the municipality. Ekurhuleni residents will now pay more for water, electricity, sanitation, and refuse removal. However, Dlabathi said in some areas, the municipality had chosen not to raise tariffs. "Zero percent [0%] on property rate, given the new valuation roll. Zero percent burial and cemetery tariff increase is proposed - 0% for CoE [City of Ekurhuleni] residents and 4.3% for non-CoE residents. We are also pleased to announce a 0% tariff increase for municipal bus services and hiring of facilities." He believes the metro was more lenient than other metros in raising service charges.
The Herald
5 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Gang of 10 open fire at taxi rank in Katlehong, killing two people
A member of a minibus taxi association and a security officer were fatally shot at the Zonkizizwe rank in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, early on Thursday. Police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said a white Toyota Fortuner with about 10 men inside arrived at the rank and started shooting at security officers. A bakkie belonging to the officers was torched. A second vehicle had multiple gunshot holes. 'The motive behind the shooting is suspected to be taxi violence-related and one rifle has been seized for further investigations. No-one is arrested yet,' said Nevhuhulwi. 'In a separate incident on Thursday, a team of police members comprising the highway unit, Hillbrow tracing unit and Johannesburg metro police tactical response unit pounced on three suspects at a warehouse in Dawn Park. 'The trio were found in possession of an R5 rifle, ammunition and three magazines. These will be taken for ballistic testing to determine if the firearm was used in the commission of crime.' Nevhuhulwi asked anyone with information that can assist with the police investigations to contact the Crime Stop Line at 08600-10111 or anonymously report tip-offs on MySapsApp which can be accessed on any smartphone. TimesLIVE
