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The Citizen
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Video: Mayor suspends R126 electricity charge amid Thembisa protests
City of Ekurhuleni Mayor Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, joined by MMC for finance Nkululeko Dunga, has addressed the protesting community of Thembisa, announcing the suspension of the R126 monthly electricity charge that residents have been opposing. Kempton Express reports the mayor encouraged residents to continue signing petitions, saying these would assist him in tabling the matter at the next council meeting to seek a resolution. However, he did not provide further clarity on the wider electricity tariff increases implemented earlier this month, which remain in place. Dunga pledged to the community that the City would revert with solutions within 14 days, promising to return to Thembisa to report back on the way forward. In closing, Thembisa Community Forum chairperson Lelenkie Lefakane handed over the signed petitions to the mayor and questioned the timeframe of the suspension, stating it did not give the community confidence that the charges would be permanently scrapped. @kemptonexpress Thembisa Shutdown – July 21, 2025 Thembisa has come to a complete shutdown this morning as protesting residents clash with police over electricity tariff hikes and ongoing service delivery failures. Thembisan journalist Floyd Mathebula, reporting from the ground, says sporadic gunfire can still be heard in parts of the township as police attempt to disperse protesters blocking roads. At this moment, City of Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has arrived at Rabasotho Community Centre, where the venue is packed with residents chanting and demonstrating to show their grievances. While tensions are high, no acts of violence have been seen, with the community united under one voice, demanding answers from the mayor on: Increased electricity tariffs Households left without electricity What the money paid by Thembisa residents to the City each month is being used for, as the area continues to face poor service delivery. The mayor is yet to address the furious community of Thembisa. All roads, exit points, and e-hailing services in Thembisa remain shut as the shutdown continues. Motorists are urged to avoid the area as disruptions may continue if tensions escalate. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available. #TiktokNews #Thembisa #tembisashutdown #policeofficer #EMPD #cityofekurhuleni #Protest #HappeningNow ♬ original sound – KemptonExpress – KemptonExpress Clashes with police Residents have indicated they will monitor the City's response while continuing to demand accountability on tariff hikes and service delivery failures affecting Thembisa households. Thembisa came to a complete shutdown this morning as protesting residents clashed with police over electricity tariff hikes and service delivery issues. Kempton Express' sister paper, The Thembisan, journalist Floyd Mathebula, reporting from the ground, earlier said sporadic gunfire could be heard in parts of the township as police attempted to disperse protesters blocking roads. 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Russian Precious Metals Sales to China Hit $1 Billion
(Bloomberg) -- Russian precious metals exports to China almost doubled in the first half of the year, as record gold prices boost revenue. Why the Federal Reserve's Building Renovation Costs $2.5 Billion Milan Corruption Probe Casts Shadow Over Property Boom How San Jose's Mayor Is Working to Build an AI Capital Chinese imports of Russian precious metal ores and concentrates, including gold and silver, jumped 80% to $1 billion from the same period a year earlier, according to data from Trade Data Monitor, which sources information from China's customs office. Bullion prices have climbed about 28% this year, boosted by heightened geopolitical risks and trade tensions, alongside buying by central banks and exchange-traded funds. Russia, the world's second-largest gold producer with annual output of more than 300 tons, has been shut out of Western trading hubs like London and New York since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Bank of Russia, formerly the world's largest central bank gold buyer, has not resumed large-scale purchases, leaving China as one of the country's few remaining major markets. Gold miners in Russia have also been buoyed by growing domestic retail demand, which reached a record high in 2024 as Russians turned to precious metals to safeguard their savings. Russia's MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC, one of the world's top producers of palladium and platinum, has ramped up exports to China this year. Prices for the two metals jumped 38% and 59%, respectively, this year. A Rebel Army Is Building a Rare-Earth Empire on China's Border Thailand's Changing Cannabis Rules Leave Farmers in a Tough Spot Elon Musk's Empire Is Creaking Under the Strain of Elon Musk How Starbucks' CEO Plans to Tame the Rush-Hour Free-for-All What the Tough Job Market for New College Grads Says About the Economy ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Municipality hosts safety and security awareness campaign to curb crime
The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services, Sizwe Buthelezi, brought together the eMalahleni community and various stakeholders for a safety and security awareness campaign at Lynnville Park. According to Buthelezi, the idea of the event, held on July 9, was inspired by the numerous complaints received in his office from different members of the community complaining about the increase in crime in the City of Coal. 'As the municipality, we have direct contact with the community and stakeholders at different departments, so it is our responsibility to bring the community together with the relevant stakeholders responsible for crime,' Buthelezi said. Through the gathering, the MMC explained that they aimed to create a positive response to the crime that has plagued eMalahleni, emphasising that they intend to do away with the culture of being more reactive than proactive. 'Instead of reacting to incidents, we are trying to encourage proaction, because crime prevention is key, and it must be primary,' he said. Buthelezi added that the various stakeholders they had which included representatives from the South African Police Service, law enforcement, traffic, fire department, disaster management, and the portfolio committee of the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, were there to advice the community on how to be proactive and make them knowledgeable on the role they need to play in curbing crime. The Speaker of Council in eMalahleni, Clr Nombuso Shabangu, was also in attendance, reaffirming her commitment to creating a safer and more just society through collaboration with the community. Residents responded to the discussions and expressed their disturbing concerns regarding the rate of crime, and they all agreed that they need solutions, and they need them now. 'The level of crime in our city requires more strategic meetings in which we will go from ward to ward, discussing solutions,' said Themba Marabi, a resident of Ward 12. Buthelezi concluded, saying such campaigns and initiatives are a great starting point toward curbing crime. 'If you want to conquer the world, you start with the first step and continue until you reach your destination,' he said. Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: [email protected] At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Gasification plant for solid waste at Sonsoddo on cards
Margao: The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) at the council meeting on Friday approved a proposal to establish a 10-tonne gasification plant for solid waste treatment at Sonsoddo. The council, in effect, rejected a previous proposal for a 15-tonne biomethanation plant at the same location after a similar facility at the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) market failed to function smoothly. The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has selected a Pune-based firm through a tendering process for over Rs 7 crore. However, councillors insisted on inspecting a functional plant before providing final approval. Municipal engineer Dipak Faldessai said that the plant's special characteristic was its ability to process mixed waste. With Margao municipality managing over 50 black spots generating approximately 5 tonnes of mixed waste daily, the facility could significantly streamline waste management operations, he said. Faldessai also said that substantial quantities of sanitary waste generated in the city must be sent to the biomedical waste treatment facility in Kundaim at considerable expense, suggesting the gasification plant could provide a solution to Margao's waste management challenges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Better hearing starts here Amplifon Book Now Undo The council has also approved the establishment of a hydraulic multi-level parking system in Margao, three months after the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) invited expressions of interest for the Rs 10.5 crore project. This hydraulic system replaces the original Rs 10 crore reinforced cement concrete multi-level parking plan, which failed to materialise despite multiple tender attempts. Further, MMC chairperson Damodar Shirodkar informed the council that a committee headed by the district collector has identified five locations across the city for implementing pay parking. The council decided to proceed with increased house tax and other fees for the current fiscal.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Call on Joburg to act on illegal bus stations
The unregulated bus stations are allegedly a hub for illicit transport and undocumented immigration. Transport sector role players have called on authorities to investigate and close illegal bus stations operating in Joburg. African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association chair Phumudzo Mukhwathi said yesterday there were two illegal bus stations in Braamfontein and another one near Park Station. Frustration by long-standing inaction 'These illegal stations have been operating for a long time and the government did not even try to shut them down despite the fact that we have alerted them on several occasions,' said Mukhwathi. He said the matter was reported to the City of Joburg and MMC for transport Kenny Kunene, 'but no action was taken'. 'Honestly, this is unfair competition because there are no rules in the illegal bus stations and we were also reliably informed that some of the buses using these stations are used to transport illegal things from South Africa to Zimbabwe,' he said. Police response questioned In January last year, police intercepted one of the buses ferrying a group of undocumented immigrants from Zimbabwe. ALSO READ: Bus driver arrested after transporting nearly 80 undocumented Zimbabweans Mukhwathi said there were allegations last year that some of the buses were using fraudulent permits and they alerted the police. But he said they did not get feedback about the investigation. 'If the city continues to fail us, we are going to take legal action to push them to act,' he said. Transport union promises to coordinate with city officials South African Transport and Allied Workers Union spokesperson Amanda Tshemese said they would investigate the allegations and work with relevant authorities to address the situation. 'We will engage with the MMC as well as the mayor. It only makes sense if we can all attend to the matter,' said Tshemese. 'You can't have illegal companies or immigrants operating in South Africa when you have millions of South Africans who are unemployed.' Illegal activity Nozibusiso Khambule, from an organisation fighting against illegal immigrants known as the March in March Movement, said they were aware of the illegal bus stations operating in the city. ALSO READ: WATCH: Commuters boycott the Metrobus tapping system Khambule said the operations, allegedly owned by Zimbabwean nationals, were a manifestation of the broader issue of illegal economic activities by foreign nationals 'that undermine the rule of law'. She said the existence of illegal bus stations created an unfair competitive environment for legitimate South African and foreign-owned businesses. 'Businesses using legitimate stations pay rent and taxes, adhere to municipal bylaws and safety regulations, and contribute to the formal economy,' she said. 'Illegal operations, by contrast, bypass these costs and regulations, allowing them to offer services at artificially low prices. 'This not only siphons off revenue from legitimate operators, but also risks the safety of commuters and contributes to urban decay, congestion and lawlessness in the CBD.' City of Joburg had not responded to questions by the time of publication. NOW READ: Zimbabwean man accused of raping landlord's daughter denied bail
