Latest news with #Grobbelaar
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Mystery solved — ‘missing' Makana water pump found on Benoni factory floor
An essential piece of equipment that's meant to ease severe water supply issues in Makhanda is safe and in Gauteng – where it will stay until payment has been made. A 'missing' R4.7-million water pump that the Eastern Cape's Makana Local Municipality refuses to discuss has been standing at a company that manufactures, repairs and services pumps in Benoni, Gauteng, since 24 February 2023. Francois Grobbelaar from Donnlee Pump Tech, who almost choked on his coffee when he read about the pump in last week's DM168, is keen to get rid of it. 'This pump is not missing,' he said. 'It stands here and it works on my nerves. It has become a running joke on the factory floor, and I am stuck with it. 'I think Koos Kombuis and Valiant Swart said it best. You tell them [the municipality], 'Johnny is nie dood nie, hy's net uitgepass (Johnny is not dead, he's just passed out)',' Grobbelaar continued, referring to the Afrikaans singers' version of the popular song. He said the Makana Municipality awarded a contract for the pump worth R4.7-million to Manco Business Enterprise, based in East London. On 14 July 2022, Manco contracted Donnlee to manufacture the pump, a highly specialised piece of equipment, and so it did. The pump was completed on 24 February 2023, but it wasn't released because it had not been paid for in full. Eventually, the debt owed on the pump by the Makana Municipality was ceded to Donnlee Pump Tech and, more than two years later, it is still standing on the floor in its factory. According to council agendas, the municipality is – correctly – under the impression that the pump was paid for and not delivered. Former director of infrastructural services and engineering Asanda Gidana was fired in November 2023 for paying for the pump without following due diligence, among other issues. In her case against the municipality at the Local Government Bargaining Council, it was conceded that a partial or 'progressive' payment was made in terms of a service level agreement for the pump. Grobbelaar said that every now and then someone would come to see him and ask how much it would cost to buy the pump. 'Even the Gift of the Givers team was here at one stage,' he added. 'So if the municipality says the pump is missing, they are lying. I speak to their legal department almost every week. 'I don't want the pump and I can't really sell it to someone else. I really want my auditors off my back about it. I have a long email trail that shows you how I've tried.' After Daily Maverick started asking questions about the pump, Grobbelaar was invited to a meeting with the Makana Municipality on Wednesday, 6 August, but it was cancelled. The municipality, the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation and the Amatola Water utility, which sells bulk water to Eastern Cape municipalities, did not respond to requests for comment. Dire situation But the agendas for the municipality's infrastructure and engineering committee provide more disturbing facts. At the time of the tender for the pump being put out in June 2022, there had been more than 100 water outages in Makhanda in the first six months of the year. The pump was destined for the Howieson's Poort pumping station, which supplies water to the Waainek water treatment works. Waainek has a capacity of eight megalitres a day and serves the town area, the prison, hospitals and Rhodes University. Raw water is pumped to this system from the Howieson's Poort and Settlers dams. Lungile Mxube, a councillor for the Makana Citizens Front, laid a charge of fraud and corruption against the municipal manager and the mayor last week over the 'loss' of the pump. Part of his complaint is that they had failed to recoup the municipality's losses for the pump from Manco. In an affidavit explaining his opening a case against the officials for contravening the Municipal Finance Act, Mxube wrote that 'a payment of R2,694,029.63' to Manco for the supply, installation and delivery of a water pump to the municipality was 'wrongfully facilitated'. Councillors in the Makana council said they had been asking questions about the pump for years. AfriForum came to investigate. Two witnesses who followed the money trail were apparently threatened. Council agendas further reveal that there are more pumps that have been abandoned at engineering factories as the municipality cannot pay for their repair. One report states: 'The challenges are inappropriate humans and a lack of skills and supply chain management.' In several agendas, councillors also express their frustration that the town's chief financial officer, Nomfundo Ntsangani, does not attend meetings or sends a representative to discuss issues of payment for essential equipment, among other things. Council at a loss Officials have been warning countless times since 2024 that there was a single pump working at Howieson's Poort pumping station (where the Donnlee pump must go) and that it was at high risk because there was no backup pump. One was finally installed in June. According to council reports, two other pumps from different water plants around the town were taken in for repairs. One is now at Sulzer Pumps, where it has been since March 2024 because the municipality owed an amount that was later clarified to be R1.8-million. Another pump was taken in for repairs by the Department of Water and Sanitation's implementing agent, Amatola Water, and the council owes R500,000 for it. From June's agenda it appears that there could be more than one pump at Sulzer as there is a promise to sort out 'the Sulzer pumps', but this may just refer to the company's name. The latest available set of agendas for the infrastructure and engineering committee is for June. The Donnlee pump gets a mention in that the case is now with the municipality's legal department. In July, local activist Philip Machanick said it was clear that, after the Makana Business and Residents' Association asked for information on the whereabouts of the town's pumps, the council did not know. After city manager Pumelelo Kate had to depose an affidavit revealing where all the pumps were, he was forced to admit that the municipality had 'lost control' of some of its pumps. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Stadium Management offers update on new FNB Stadium pitch
"We got experts who advised us the FNB pitch is beyond its lifespan and that we have to replace it,' Grobbelaar said. Stadium Management South Africa CEO Bertie Grobbelaar has provided an update on the state of the FNB Stadium pitch, which has undergone a makeover during the off-season in order to host Betway Premiership matches. The iconic 2010 FIFA World Cup venue serves as the home ground for Kaizer Chiefs, who kick off their 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign away to Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium on Sunday. ALSO READ: Barker sees benefits in early Chiefs clash Following the trip to the Mother City to take on Stellies, Amakhosi are scheduled to return to FNB Stadium next Wednesday to host Polokwane City, followed by another home tie against Richards Bay six days later. 'A lifespan of a GrassMaster pitch is anything between 10, 12 to 15 years depending on the usage. We didn't run away last year, we got experts who advised us the FNB pitch is beyond its lifespan and that we have to replace it,' Grobbelaar said to Thabiso Mosia on Radio 2000. 'We couldn't do it mid-season and had to wait until the end of the season. It was a bad playing surface towards the end of the season. They took out the pitch, did the work, maintenance and renovations. 'As I said to you, they are halfway with the stitching now, and the GrassMaster machine is on the pitch as we speak. So it's not about the point of not caring about it.' When pressed about whether the stadium will be ready to host Chiefs' upcoming fixtures, starting with the clash against City, Grobbelaar admitted that the surface still has some bit of patches after work was done on it. 'We're hosting the first game on the 13th (August) and you're going to ask me again why is the northern side not as good as other sides,' he said. 'On the northern side, it (will still) have a bit of patchiness for about two weeks and it will be fully grown in. As a stakeholder in the football industry, we must play our role as venues. A football page is dependent on a good playing surface. 'For the spectacles that we anticipate this year, we all need to play our roles. I do understand it (the public frustration) but, as I said to you, not all pitches are hybrid. With the Kikuyu pitches, there is a problem with the change of the season.' FNB Stadium is a multi-purpose venue and frequently hosts major music concerts, with the most recent being American R&B superstar Chris Brown, who performed in front of over 90,000 fans. Grobbelaar acknowledged that such events contribute to the challenge of keeping the pitches in top condition. 'Most of the stadiums rely on other events as well. If you only maintain a pitch to play football, then that's a different story, but the minute you've got concerts and other events on the pitches, the maintenance and keeping it up to standard becomes a challenge,' he explained. 'We need to find the balance to be commercially viable and still deliver good surfaces for playing football. It is a challenge and no one can run away from that, but the venues need to also accept responsibility. ALSO READ: Durban City announce Nodada and three more signings 'That is the problem and it's not commercially viable to only have football at the stadium. I can't speak for others, but a stadium like FNB, you won't be able to maintain the facility without it being used as a multi-purpose venue.'
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- The Citizen
World Drug Day: How organised crime fuels South Africa's drug crisis
Some South African parents are forcing their children into addiction – introducing them to drugs or pushing them to deal and trapping them in a brutal cycle of destruction. On World Drug Day, commemorated globally today, the spotlight falls not just on drug users but on the powerful networks behind the supply chain. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has made this year's theme, 'Break the Cycle', a direct call to confront the role of organised crime in perpetuating the global drug crisis. In South Africa, the issue has reached what addiction expert Adèl Grobbelaar, who heads up SANCA Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre in Johannesburg, calls 'pandemic levels'. 'The drug crisis in South Africa is no longer a marginal problem. It is entrenched in every layer of society,' says Grobbelaar. 'Drugs are easily and cheaply available. This normalises use and traps individuals and communities in cycles of substance use disorder and crime.' Organised crime: The engine behind the epidemic According to the UNODC, organised crime is the major driver of the global illicit drug trade, with devastating consequences. South Africa is no exception. Grobbelaar explains that gangs dominate certain areas, controlling the flow of drugs and demanding criminal loyalty from those within their reach. 'In some areas, joining a gang is conditional on committing a crime, which pulls the individual not only into substance use but into a criminal underworld,' she says. The corruption doesn't end on the streets. 'Bribery and missing court dockets are common,' Grobbelaar adds. 'Even when suspects are arrested, drugs continue to flow into correctional facilities. The criminal justice system focuses on violent crimes like assault and trafficking, while drug use often takes a backseat.' Schools: The new battleground 'Drug gangs have infiltrated schools,' Grobbelaar warns. 'They specifically target vulnerable children – homeless kids, those from broken homes, or child-headed households.' Grobbelaar explains that drug lords sometimes offer scholarships to private and public schools, not as acts of charity but as recruitment strategies. 'These children may not use drugs themselves, but they are used to gain customers. If they deliver, they stay in school. If not, the support disappears.' Some parents, shockingly, even push their children into the drug trade. 'We've had clients whose parents introduced them to drugs. It's heartbreaking.' No school is immune. 'We often get learners referred to us for drug testing,' she says. 'I doubt there is a single school in the country that can claim to be drug-free. Sadly, many schools and teachers look the other way, because once you dig, the problems are overwhelming.' She also criticises the lack of alignment between government departments. 'Education, Social Development, Health – they are not working together. Without a co-ordinated effort, we'll never tackle this at the root.' Desperation and inequality Grobbelaar highlights how South Africa's high unemployment rate and deep-rooted poverty create a perfect breeding ground for drug abuse. 'Some individuals resort to selling drugs just to feed their families. Others, particularly the homeless, use drugs to escape the harsh reality of street life.' She notes a disturbing trend: 'Living on the streets becomes a lifestyle, even an addiction. People know where to get food, how to hustle, and how to survive. Some even rent children to play on people's emotions when they stand at traffic lights asking for money.' Breaking the cycle The message for World Drug Day is clear: Organised crime fuels substance use disorders, and it thrives in environments where poverty, corruption, and systemic failure go unchecked. 'The only way to break this cycle,' Grobbelaar says, 'is through collaboration, social investment and community-level interventions. We need more than just talk, we need action.' 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. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
What will you give up? Sanca urges you to try a week without your go-to habit
What will you give up? Sanca urges you to try a week without your go-to habit Do you have what it takes to stop doing something you love for a week, or will your willpower crumble as quickly as stale bread? Find out from today to next Sunday, June 29, during the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence's (Sanca) Kick Your Habit campaign. Adél Grobbelaar, the head of the Sanca Wedge Gardens treatment centre in Johannesburg, says the campaign raises awareness about the challenges faced by people with substance use disorders. 'People often think someone should be able to stop using drugs or drinking too much just through willpower, without realising that addiction is a disease. It doesn't happen because you lack willpower or the strength to make good decisions – it's because you have a chronic brain disorder and your brain chemistry has changed,' says Grobbelaar, an expert in her field with over 40 years of experience. 'People with substance use disorders need support and intervention from society, not judgement. The Kick Your Habit campaign asks people to give up something they rely on in daily life. This helps them understand, even in a small way, what someone goes through during treatment.' It could be the chocolate bar you crave when things get tough, that fifth cup of coffee to stay alert, cigarettes, mindless scrolling on social media to escape your worries, a drink or two after work – or even biting your nails. Whatever your crutch, the Kick Your Habit campaign challenges you to give it up for one week. 'You know these habits aren't good for you, but you keep doing them because they bring comfort, relief or pleasure. Just like drugs, alcohol, codeine and other dangerous addictive substances, your habits trigger the brain's reward centre and make you feel good. 'Even 'harmless' substances like sugar or Coke, when misused, can lead to mild substance use disorders. Addiction is the most serious form of a substance use disorder,' Grobbelaar explains, 'and the more harmful the substance, the greater the negative impacts'. Many people don't realise that addictions aren't always linked to substances. Non-substance addictions can be just as damaging. These include bulimia, over-exercising to the point of harm, gambling, unsafe sex, overspending, excessive pornography use, or spending so much time online or gaming that your relationships and work suffer. Grobbelaar says the Kick Your Habit campaign helps people understand the tough choices involved in going to a rehabilitation treatment centre. 'If you take the challenge and give up something you depend on for a week, you'll get a real sense of how hard it is to stop a habit without help. 'And if you succeed, you'll feel a sense of achievement and greater control. You'll probably want to talk to someone about it for support and encouragement. Now, imagine how much more support people with substance use disorders need during treatment or after leaving rehab. 'This is what I want society to understand – the strength needed to recover, the tough journey through the detoxification process, the helping hands required to reintegrate into society and, most importantly, the root causes of substance use disorders that must be addressed for long-term recovery. 'Creating awareness about substance use disorders and the role society plays in tackling addiction is what makes campaigns like Kick Your Habit so important,' says Grobbelaar. So, what will you give up for a week? Whether you're young or old, a student, parent, office worker or retiree – Sanca challenges you to give up one habit you lean on. Share your journey with friends, family or on social media, and encourage others to join. You might be surprised by what you learn about yourself – and even more surprised by the empathy it builds for others. Are you ready to kick your habit? 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. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
10-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Strong Junior Bok squad named for U-20 world champs in Italy
Junior Springboks head coach Kevin Foote has included five players who will feature in their second World Rugby U-20 Championship in Italy, with lock Riley Norton retained as captain for the tournament from June 29 to July 19. Prop Phiwayinkosi Kubheka and flyhalf Ian van der Merwe have not played for the South Africa U-20s, while lock Jaco Grobbelaar, No 8 Stephanus Linde and outside back Jaco Williams are back in the squad after missing last month's U-20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha. Kubheka played for the SA U-18s last year and Van der Merwe in 2023, while Linde toured with the Junior Boks in Georgia earlier this year before he picked up an injury that ruled him out of the Rugby Championship. Grobbelaar and Williams were involved with the United Rugby Championship squads for the Bulls and Sharks. Grobbelaar is one of the five players returning for a second World Rugby Championship stint, with utility forward Bathobele Hlekani, prop Herman Lubbe, loose forward Wandile Mlaba and scrumhalf Haashim Pead.
