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The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Watch: 2 women appear in court over Germiston unrest
Watch: 2 women appear in court over Germiston unrest Two women, Malwande Tukula and Mandisa Mboxwana, appeared in Germiston Magistrate's Court today on charges of public violence and damaging infrastructure following protests on Tuesday. Germiston City News reports that the demonstrations resulted in a fire that severely damaged the Department of Home Affairs building and were linked to court-ordered evictions in the area. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department's acting chief of police, JD Mkhwanazi, says roads leading to the complex had been blocked on the day to hinder officials from executing the eviction orders. The magistrate noted the seriousness of the charges and confirmed that the accused would have to submit applications for bail. The state opposed bail, and the case has been postponed to August 19 for their bail applications. The accused remain in custody in Germiston. If found guilty, they could face up to 15 years in prison. @ Malwande Tukula and Mandisa Mboxwana appear in Germiston Magistrate's Court on August 14, after August 12 protests. They are facing charges of public violence and damage to infrastructure. #GermistonHomeAffairs #GermistonEvictions ♬ original sound – Bedfordview Edenvale News Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Historic Germiston Golf Club closes amid controversy
The golf community of Germiston is reeling from the closure of the historic Germiston Golf Club, which officially shut its doors in April 2025. For more than 127 years, the club was a cornerstone of the city's sporting and social landscape. It was more than just a patch of green, it was a living piece of Germiston's identity. With the course silent and padlocked since April 16, residents and stakeholders are rallying to prevent its permanent loss. Germiston City News spoke to John Diamond, president of the Germiston Local Sport Confederation, who has been instrumental in efforts to reopen the club. ALSO READ: Jeppe Boys tee off for fundraiser at Germiston Golf Club 'The course carries so much history. Generations of Germiston families have walked these fairways. 'Beyond its recreational value, the golf course has contributed significantly to local business growth and community development,' Diamond said. A mix of challenges The closure has sparked widespread disappointment among longtime club members, families, and business owners. When asked about the circumstances that led to the course's demise, Diamond explained that it was the result of a complex blend of administrative, financial, and infrastructural challenges. 'A biased lease agreement with the Real Estate office placed the entire burden of maintenance, including perimeter fencing and infrastructure, on the club, with little to no support from the municipality,' he said. Additionally, the club had fallen into arrears with its electricity bill, further straining its finances. ALSO READ: Senior golfers enjoy another successful round at Germiston club While membership was beginning to recover thanks to new partnerships and growing optimism, this revival was cut short. 'What really broke the camel's back was the municipality's refusal to subsidize pitch and lawn maintenance, which costs around R150 000 per month, even during winter. Other golf courses receive support, but not Germiston.' Pleas that fell on deaf ears According to Diamond, efforts to intervene began months before the closure. Ward councillor Jean Ingram was approached as early as November 2024 and helped spread the word through WhatsApp groups and a fundraising initiative on Help a Buddy. Despite these efforts, the municipality's real estate office did not support them. A long-awaited meeting with the head of the department has still not taken place. 'I went to plead our case,' Diamond said. 'We even had companies submit Letters of Intent to partner with or take over the club, yet nothing came of it.' Risk of ruin When asked about the site's future, Diamond stressed that the land is classified as wetland, making it unsuitable for other types of development. 'It can only ever be a golf course,' he emphasized. 'Letting it fall into ruin would not only be a betrayal of our city's heritage, but a risk. It could become a vandalized dump site or worse, an informal settlement.' The closure has already begun to impact the local economy. Businesses that rely on the golf club's traffic are suffering losses, and young aspiring golfers have lost a valuable development platform. ALSO READ: Golfers take top honours at local tournament 'Germiston is at risk of losing a generational opportunity to promote the sport among youth,' Diamond said. Hope still lingers Despite the setbacks, hope persists. Talks with interested private-sector partners continue. Many believe that declaring the site a heritage landmark, recognizing its unique history and cultural value, could unlock new avenues for funding and protection. 'This is not just about saving a golf course,' said Diamond. 'It's about preserving a legacy, a city's identity. Let's remain hopeful. We South Africans are resilient. 'We know how to PUSH, meaning persevere until something happens.' An enquiry was sent to the city on May 16 to ask whether the municipality supports the reopening initiative and why the site has not yet been declared a heritage site. No comment was received by the time of going to print. ALSO READ: Senior golfers of Ekurhuleni enjoy a successful tournament While city officials have not responded formal, the community remains hopeful that increased visibility and pressure will lead to a sustainable solution—one that either revives the club or preserves the space for public recreation. For now, the once-vibrant greens of the Germiston Golf Club lie untended. But the spirit of the community that grew around them is still alive — determined to reclaim and reimagine a treasured piece of Germiston's soul. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
