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The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Emfuleni municipality rebuffs claims of traffic department collapse amid equipment removal scandal
The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has strongly denied allegations that its traffic department has collapsed, following reports that a service provider allegedly removed vital traffic control equipment and data. The municipality has labelled the claims as exaggerated and misleading, assuring residents that traffic operations are still functional. This comes after the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) raised concerns that the absence of functioning traffic control systems could result in a spike in traffic violations and lawlessness on the roads. The party claims the department lost access to all fine records from 2021 to 16 July 2025 after critical equipment was removed. 'The removed equipment includes speed cameras and cameras used to record motor vehicle accidents. The service provider removed its equipment before the end of its contract, because the Municipality failed to pay. A new system was implemented on 16 July this year.' The ELM has firmly rejected claims that its traffic department has collapsed due to the removal of equipment by a service provider. The municipality criticised political parties for spreading misinformation through the media without offering them a chance to respond. 'We reject the slandering of the municipality by political parties seeking cheap political points, especially when we were not given the right of reply.' Emfuleni Municipality Communications Manager Makhosonke Sangweni explained that the removal of traffic equipment was due to the expiry of the previous service provider's three-year contract, and the withdrawal formed part of standard procedure at the end of such agreements. Sangweni stated that a new service provider has been formally appointed to take over operations, with several key steps already underway. These include staff recruitment, installation of necessary hardware and software, and training on the new system. He added that data capturing began on July 15, with 4 524 new cases successfully recorded, and the latest electronic equipment was expected to arrive by August 6. 'A total of 70 hand-held electronic devices for law enforcement are expected to be delivered on August 6, with officer training scheduled for the same day,' he said. Additionally, vehicles and mobile cameras have been provided, enabling Traffic Officers to resume speed enforcement from 16 July. Sangweni emphasised that the Municipality firmly rejects claims suggesting a collapse in traffic control due to equipment issues. He clarified that speed law enforcement remains active and ongoing, despite the transition between service providers. 'Enforcement for speed prosecutions is still taking place while traffic officers continue to write summonses for offences related to the violation of the National Road Traffic Act,' he added. The embattled municipality faced yet another setback last week when, on August 30, employees and residents were left stunned after arriving at the Vanderbijlpark municipal offices only to find the premises locked, allegedly due to unpaid rent. The unexpected closure left many residents frustrated and uncertain about how to access basic municipal services, including making payments and handling queries. The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it has written to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), urging it to intervene and compel the ELM to get back on track. The party questioned why the municipality continues to rent office space when it already owns properties, and said it would request CoGTA to investigate this practice and ensure the municipality makes use of its existing assets. DA's Kingsol Chabalala slammed the municipality for poor planning, saying the office closure over unpaid rent is disgraceful, especially while money is still being spent on overtime. He added that the closure reflects the municipality's misplaced priorities and ongoing failure to deliver services, saying the current administration has let Emfuleni residents down. ' They don't prioritise the needs of the residents, it's all about what they can benefit, which they have achieved by bringing this municipality to its knees. ' The municipality has been unable to access its bank account for the past two months after Rand Water attached it over an outstanding debt of R1.7 billion, a long-standing issue that continues to cripple operations. Although the municipal offices reopened on July 31, Sangweni accused Rand Water of acting in bad faith. He said the municipality has a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in place to address water and sanitation service delivery and manage debt. Sangweni added that Rand Water's actions appear nefarious, especially as Emfuleni is in the process of establishing a 30-year partnership aimed at improving service delivery. The Star [email protected]
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Emfuleni municipality rebuffs claims of traffic department collapse amid equipment removal scandal
The Emfuleni Local Municipality refutes claims that its traffic department has collapsed, asserting that operations are intact despite reports of critical equipment removal. The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has strongly denied allegations that its traffic department has collapsed, following reports that a service provider allegedly removed vital traffic control equipment and data. The municipality has labelled the claims as exaggerated and misleading, assuring residents that traffic operations are still functional. This comes after the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) raised concerns that the absence of functioning traffic control systems could result in a spike in traffic violations and lawlessness on the roads. The party claims the department lost access to all fine records from 2021 to 16 July 2025 after critical equipment was removed. 'The removed equipment includes speed cameras and cameras used to record motor vehicle accidents. The service provider removed its equipment before the end of its contract, because the Municipality failed to pay. A new system was implemented on 16 July this year.' The ELM has firmly rejected claims that its traffic department has collapsed due to the removal of equipment by a service provider. The municipality criticised political parties for spreading misinformation through the media without offering them a chance to respond. 'We reject the slandering of the municipality by political parties seeking cheap political points, especially when we were not given the right of reply.' Emfuleni Municipality Communications Manager Makhosonke Sangweni explained that the removal of traffic equipment was due to the expiry of the previous service provider's three-year contract, and the withdrawal formed part of standard procedure at the end of such agreements. Sangweni stated that a new service provider has been formally appointed to take over operations, with several key steps already underway. These include staff recruitment, installation of necessary hardware and software, and training on the new system. He added that data capturing began on July 15, with 4 524 new cases successfully recorded, and the latest electronic equipment was expected to arrive by August 6. 'A total of 70 hand-held electronic devices for law enforcement are expected to be delivered on August 6, with officer training scheduled for the same day,' he said. Additionally, vehicles and mobile cameras have been provided, enabling Traffic Officers to resume speed enforcement from 16 July. Sangweni emphasised that the Municipality firmly rejects claims suggesting a collapse in traffic control due to equipment issues. He clarified that speed law enforcement remains active and ongoing, despite the transition between service providers. 'Enforcement for speed prosecutions is still taking place while traffic officers continue to write summonses for offences related to the violation of the National Road Traffic Act,' he added. The embattled municipality faced yet another setback last week when, on August 30, employees and residents were left stunned after arriving at the Vanderbijlpark municipal offices only to find the premises locked, allegedly due to unpaid rent.
IOL News
31-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
City of Tshwane adopts sustainable waste management plan despite financial concerns
The City of Tshwane council introduced a new sustainable waste management strategy for 185 informal settlements during a council sitting on Thursday at Tshwane House. Image: IOL The City of Tshwane has adopted a new sustainable waste management strategy for its 185 informal settlements, despite opposition parties' concerns that the plan lacks a financial framework to ensure its successful implementation. The strategy, adopted during a council meeting at Tshwane House, focuses on cleanliness, recycling, and composting. Despite warnings from the DA and Freedom Front Plus that the strategy lacks a financial plan to support its implementation, the council has moved forward with the plan. FF Plus councillor Deham Hamse highlighted fundamental flaws in the report, citing a lack of conditional funding and no provision for adjustments under Section 28 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ "Implementing the strategy in its current form may lead to irregular or fruitless expenditure," he warned. DA councillor Yvonne Dzumba echoed similar concerns, stating that the strategy lacks a costing framework, funding details, and clear service standards or key performance indicators. "Tshwane cannot afford to approve an open-ended strategy without financial discipline," she said. She mentioned that informal settlements are struggling with severe inconsistencies in waste collection, rampant illegal dumping, hazardous infrastructure, and a lack of basic services, all of which pose significant threats to both human health and the environment. ANC councillor Kgaugelo Phiri acknowledged the extensive efforts and collaboration that went into developing the strategy in partnership with a non-profit organisation called Asivikelani. He noted that despite current efforts to provide free waste services to informal settlements, challenges persist, including insufficient waste bags and poor road conditions. He said the core goal of the strategy is to develop an inclusive, environmentally responsible, and economically sustainable waste management system tailored to the unique realities of informal settlements. 'This involves shifting from a mere waste collection approach to a proactive, integrated strategy emphasising waste reduction, resource recovery, community participation, and environmental education,' he said. EFF councillor Boitumelo Rasweswe reiterated that the goal of the strategy is to achieve sustainable waste collection in informal settlements and waste minimisation through recycling, composting, and other forms of circular economy. Former MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management, Ziyanda Zwane, welcomed the strategy as a vital solution to the city's escalating waste management issues. 'We are pleased that the city is partnering with credible and experienced stakeholders to carry out this programme. The inclusion of major recyclers and a need to have mobile buy-bag centres is a great move,' he said. He said the initiative will unlock economic opportunities, also pointing out that cost containment shouldn't be an excuse for withholding essential services like refuse bag provision in informal settlements, as waste collection is a fundamental necessity. "The living conditions in our hostels are dire, with waste piling up and posing a significant health risk," Zwane said.
IOL News
28-07-2025
- IOL News
Murder investigation launched after female motorist killed on R300
A 41-year-old female was shot and killed on the R300 highway when she was changing her tyre. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives A woman was shot in the neck and killed along the R300 on Saturday night in yet another brazen highway hit near the deadly N2 "Hell Run". The 41-year-old woman had reportedly just finished changing her tyre when she was gunned down inside her car. Police found her slumped behind the wheel and she was declared dead on the scene by paramedics. Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, confirmed they are investigating a case of murder. 'The circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Saturday evening at about 20:22pm, on the R300, where a 41-year-old female was shot and fatally wounded are under investigation. 'Police members attended the crime scene where they found the victim inside the vehicle with a gunshot wound to her neck. 'The victim was declared deceased on the scene by paramedics. The motive for the attack forms part of the police investigation.' He added that no personal belongings were taken and that the suspects are still on the loose. Meanwhile, Freedom Front Plus councillor Emre Uygun said the party is shocked that the incident happened so close to the notorious Hell Run. 'This horrific incident also follows closely on the heels of a similar case of attempted murder involving a female motorist that the party had recently highlighted in a press release this week. 'The Freedom Front Plus strongly condemns these brazen and violent attacks on female motorists, which demonstrates a clear disregard for human life.' The 41-year-old victim was found slumped inside her car by police and declared dead on the scene. Image: File The party is demanding that the national, provincial and local government hold an emergency meeting to come up with a proper plan to tackle the growing violence on the N2 and R300. The Cape Argus sister newspaper, Daily Voice previously reported on a couple who were ambushed on the N2 Hell Run while heading to Cape Town International Airport. Uygun added: 'According to reports, Sanral's monitoring system recorded over 200 crime-related incidents on the N2 and R300 in Cape Town in 2023, including stone-throwing and robbery targeting motorists. 'It is alarming that the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras on this stretch of road are non-functional, and visible policing is clearly inadequate.' The party said Sanral, SAPS and metro police must take action, including fixing broken cameras to catch the suspects and keep motorists safe, especially near the airport. Anyone with information can call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app anonymously. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
27-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Urgent action needed: Freedom Front Plus calls for disaster status in Centurion sinkhole crisis
A recent sinkhole in Jade Avenue, Lyttelton, caused by tree roots piercing an asbestos water pipe, has prompted the Freedom Front Plus to intensify its petition for the sinkhole issues in Tshwane to be declared a disaster area. Image: Supplied The Freedom Front Plus has intensified its campaign to petition the City of Tshwane to declare Region 4 a disaster area due to the severe sinkhole problem, following a recent sinkhole development in Centurion. The party has collected 3,500 physical signatures by visiting schools and engaging with the community, and has also launched an online campaign to gather more signatures. FF Plus PR councillor Wesley Jacobs emphasised that the petition process is transparent, as no ID information is being collected. "I submitted all the information to the council," he said. He cautioned that other political parties are now copying their approach, starting petitions on th same issue, but alleged that these parties are exploiting the issue for political gain by collecting ID information. According to him, there are currently 64 sinkholes in Centurion, highlighting the urgent need for rehabilitation and infrastructure maintenance. A recent sinkhole in Jade Avenue, Lyttelton, emerged when tree roots pierced an asbestos water pipe, resulting in an underground water leak. Jacobs explained that the primary causes of the sinkholes in Centurion are water and sewage leaks on dolomitic soil. The FF Plus is demanding urgent action from the City of Tshwane, calling for the declaration of Region 4 as a disaster area to access necessary funds for rehabilitation and infrastructure replacement. "Decisive action should be taken immediately to prevent the loss of lives," Jacobs said. This demand comes after Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Jacob Mamabolo recently suggested that implementing technology to detect potential leakages could be a more effective solution to the sinkhole problems plaguing Tshwane and Merafong City. Mamabolo urged the two municipalities to work together to tackle the sinkhole problem and provide documentation to support their bids for national funding. A roundtable discussion on sinkholes is planned for the end of July, bringing together experts and stakeholders to find long-term solutions. Meanwhile, Tshwane has budgeted R14.7 million to address the sinkhole crisis, but it's woefully inadequate, as estimates suggest R180 million is needed to fix over 60 sinkholes. Jacobs said: 'The Freedom Front Plus will keep pressuring the Metro to declare it a disaster area so the necessary funds can be obtained from the national and/or provincial disaster funds, as the Metro lacks the resources to replace outdated infrastructure and rehabilitate sinkholes.' [email protected]
