Latest news with #JMPD
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
JMPD steps up patrols against illegal street racing
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has confirmed an increase in reports of alleged illegal street racing in parts of the city, particularly Rosebank, Fourways, and Midrand. This comes in the wake of a tragic accident on Jan Smuts Avenue on July 12, in which an Uber driver lost his life. JMPD Superintendent Xolani Fihla, said JMPD attended the scene, and a case of culpable homicide has been opened, with the South African Police Service (SAPS) currently investigating. 'These incidents highlight the severe dangers posed by illegal street racing.' The department acknowledged growing concerns raised by community members, as well as by Michael Sun, DA Gauteng spokesperson for community safety, who recently called for visible enforcement and greater accountability. Also read: Deadly street racing allegations prompt DA to seek Lesufi's urgent intervention In response, Fihla said JMPD is intensifying efforts to boost visible policing and operational strategies in identified hotspots. 'While we strive for a constant presence, illegal street racing often occurs spontaneously and across various locations, making real-time enforcement challenging. However, we are enhancing our information gathering and tactical responses to deal with these incidents more effectively.' Fihla said that collecting specific statistics on street racing-related arrests, injuries, and fatalities is complicated, as such cases are frequently recorded under broader traffic offences, such as reckless and negligent driving, excessive speeding, or driving under the influence. Despite these challenges, Fihla reaffirmed JMPD's commitment to road safety. He said the department is ramping up patrols and working closely with other law enforcement agencies to hold offenders accountable under the National Road Traffic Act. 'We urge residents to continue reporting any suspicious activity. Public co-operation is vital in helping us keep Johannesburg's roads safe for us all.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Bez Valley block roads in protest over prolonged electricity outage
Motorists have been urged to use alternate routes. Residents took to the streets on Tuesday, barricading the roads around the area with rocks and burning tyres. Picture: Supplied Joburg motorists have been urged to use alternate routes following protest action in the Bezuidenhout Valley area. Residents took to the streets on Tuesday, barricading roads around the area with rocks and burning tyres. Protest action Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla said officers were monitoring the protest. 'JMPD officers are currently on scene managing traffic in response to a protest involving approximately 200 participants who have blockaded Albertina Sisulu Road from Bertrams towards Darras Centre'. Affected roads Fihla said affected roads include Albertina Sisulu Road, 2nd and 5th streets, and 8th and 7th avenues. 'The protest stems from a complaint regarding a prolonged electricity outage, which participants claim has been ongoing since February. Protesters are burning tyres in the affected area, though they have informed JMPD officials that their intentions are non-violent and their primary demand is the restoration of electricity. 'Motorists are strongly advised to seek alternative routes, exercise extreme caution when approaching the area, follow directions from JMPD officers on the scene and anticipate significant delays,' Fihla said. Bezuidenhout Valley Residents have taken to the streets on Tuesday, barricading the roads around the area with rocks and burning tyres over prolonged electricity outages. Pictures: Supplied #BezValleyProetst @TheCitizen_News — 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) July 29, 2025 ALSO READ: Traffic delays after residents shut down Thembisa over electricity tariff hike [VIDEO] Thembisa protest Earlier this month, protestors shut down Thembisa in protest against the new electricity tariff hike introduced by the City of Ekurhuleni. Tensions flared in the township as residents protesting steep electricity costs clashed with police, who responded by firing rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. City of Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza announced the suspension of the fixed R126 electricity tariff charge until further notice following the violent protests. The mayor highlighted Ekurhuleni's ongoing efforts to support struggling residents, saying the municipality provides indigent households with 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of free basic electricity each month. Electricity protest He said the metro had written off 75% of debt for households unable to pay their municipal rates and taxes. Xhakaza further said Ekurhuleni's electricity pricing was based on directives from Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa. ALSO READ: Tshwane shuts down workers' protest at last minute
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Eyewitness News
Scholar transport driver found to be driving drunk arrested after collision
JOHANNESBURG - A scholar transport driver found to be driving drunk has been arrested after several learners were injured when their car was involved in a collision. The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) said it responded to a single-vehicle accident on Westpark Drive in Montgomery Park, Randburg, on Monday morning. Metro police said a white minibus Toyota Quantum operating as a scholar transport allegedly attempted to overtake another vehicle when the driver lost control. JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said twelve learners were injured. 'The driver of the Toyota Quantum was found to be under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and detained at Sophiatown SAPS [South African Police Service]. He faces charges of reckless and negligent driving under the influence of alcohol.'
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Scholar transport driver arrested for drunk driving after accident
The driver now faces multiple serious charges related to the incident. A scholar transport driver was arrested for drunk driving after a serious accident that injured 12 learners in Randburg on Monday morning. The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) responded to the single-vehicle collision on Westpark Drive in Montgomery Park. Driver loses control during overtaking manoeuvre The white minibus Toyota Quantum was operating as a scholar transport when the incident occurred. According to the JMPD, the vehicle was allegedly attempting to overtake another vehicle when the driver lost control. This resulted in the collision that left multiple students injured. Superintendent Xolani Fihla, spokesperson for the JMPD, confirmed that 'twelve (12) learners sustained injuries and were transported to various medical facilities for attention'. ALSO READ: Family of five killed in horror KZN crash Alcohol found in driver's system Police investigations revealed that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident. 'The driver of the Toyota Quantum was found to be under the influence of alcohol.' The JMPD spokesperson confirmed the arrest. 'He has been arrested and will be detained at Sophiatown Saps [South African Police Service].' The driver now faces multiple serious charges related to the incident. He has been charged with reckless and negligent driving. Additionally, he faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. READ NEXT: Bus brawl causes 6-car pileup, closes major Joburg highway
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Peak-hour horror: Fight on bus triggers multi-vehicle crash on Johannesburg highway
Several people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash on Johannesburg's M1 highway this morning, after a passenger allegedly grabbed the steering wheel during a fight with the bus driver. The Witness reports that the collision, which took place near the Booysens Road off-ramp, brought peak-hour traffic to a standstill and caused major delays. Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla says the bus was travelling southbound on the M1 when a dispute broke out between a commuter and the driver. 'Preliminary information suggests the passenger grabbed the steering wheel during the altercation. The driver lost control, and the bus veered across the barricades and median from the M1 South to the M1 North,' says Fihla. The bus collided with six other vehicles in the northbound lane, injuring multiple people. No fatalities have been confirmed, but emergency services remained on the scene for several hours, attending to the injured and clearing the wreckage. Fihla says the M1 North at Booysens Road had been closed to traffic while the scene was being cleared, causing widespread congestion in surrounding areas. The road has since been reopened. Officials are investigating the crash. M1 HIGHWAY REOPENED AFTER SERIOUS ACCIDENT The M1 Highway in Booysens has now been reopened to traffic following a serious accident earlier this morning. The M1 North was closed at Booysens Road due to a collision involving a bus and six other vehicles. The incident, which… — Jo'burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) July 28, 2025 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
