Latest news with #Mabaso
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Joburg MMC offers condolences to families amid Diepkloof Hostel investigation
As the families of the two deceased residents of the Diepkloof Hostel prepare to travel to KZN to bury their loved ones, Joburg MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, visited them and the community to send his heartfelt condolences. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers With the investigation into the alleged private ownership of parts of the overcrowded Diepkloof Hostel in Soweto reported to be firmly under way, Joburg MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, visited the families of the people who died during a protest over this matter on Monday. It was reported that one of the trucks loaded with canned fish accelerated and struck one of the residents on Monday, killing him instantly. In another incident, a truck driver trying to avoid the protest drove into the hostel area, where demonstrators began throwing stones at him. While attempting to escape, he hit two people. This happened as residents blockaded the N1 Highway and Chris Hani Road with burning tyres and rocks, causing massive morning peak-hour traffic. As the protest over the lack of housing and poor sanitation issues escalated, the trucks were looted, resulting in a search for the stolen goods later in the day. On Thursday afternoon, during his visit to the grieving families, Mabaso stated that it was the right thing to do for the city to grieve with the affected families and the entire community of Diepkloof Hostel, whose cries over the alleged private ownership had resulted in the unnecessary deaths. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ "We are here to offer our sympathies and condolences to the affected families over the tragedy that happened on Monday. We do not wish to have a similar tragedy and find ourselves in a similar situation again, where our people, when they raise their demands, lose their lives. We know as Africans that when families are faced with such circumstances, they need all the support they can get, which has brought us to be here today," he stated. Speaking for the family of Velani Makhaye, Mandla Makhaye indicated that they are still shaken by the death of their son, who had moved to Johannesburg to find better opportunities. "As a family, we are shattered and saddened by the death of our son. His father is still shocked by this tragedy, and we thank the support of the MMC and the entire community as we prepare to travel home to Greytown to lay our son to rest this weekend. With the help we have received, we think we are now in a better place to transport the body of the deceased back home in time for his burial this weekend," Makhaye said. On the investigation, Mabaso stated: "The City of Joburg is currently engaged in that investigation. Our internal investigation has revealed that there was no money received by the city over this illegal transaction, which has affected the renovation project, which was already under way before we were alerted to this transaction."
IOL News
21-05-2025
- IOL News
Urgent investigation into the controversial transfer of Diepkloof Hostel
Two people died during a protest by Diepkloof Hostel dwellers over its ownership and lack of housing. The City of Johannesburg has promised to investigate the unauthorised transfer of ownership. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Part of the overcrowded Diepkloof Hostel in Soweto was transferred to a private owner in June 2023, which sparked the protests that left two people dead this week. On Monday, hostel dwellers took to the streets during a protest in which they demanded houses and expressed their unhappiness with the private ownership of the property. City of Johannesburg Human Settlements MMC Mlungisi Mabaso said the Diepkloof Hostel was not sold. 'It was transferred without the authorisation from the council. The hostel was subdivided into a portion owned by the city and the other portion is privately owned,' said Mabaso. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He said this week's protest was about the ownership of the hostel. In response to the protest, the City of Johannesburg announced that it would conduct a forensic investigation to determine who authorised the sale of the Diepkloof Hostel without the knowledge of the council and senior officials. According to Mabaso, he has asked Mayor Dada Morero to allow the municipality to no longer discuss the matter internally with officials. 'We need to institute a full forensic investigation to determine who within the municipality authorised this deal,' he said. Mabaso added that municipal regulations require council approval for any transfer of municipal land in the City of Johannesburg. 'I have served as a councillor for nine years, and I have never seen a council resolution approving the transfer of the Diepkloof Hostel land. This suggests the transfer was unauthorised. Some names have been mentioned, but we want a formal investigation to determine exactly who was responsible,' he said. Mabaso continued: 'One of the signatories to this questionable transaction is not even a director, but a manager. I want to know who gave themselves the power to transfer municipal land while residents were still occupying it.' He said his department only became aware of the land transfer when attempts to demolish structures to pave the way for a new development project were made. Mabaso has promised residents that he will return with Johannesburg Water in July this year to introduce a contractor to begin work despite the contested transfer of land into private ownership. In addition, he has instructed officials to approach the courts to lift the interdict currently blocking the development, and stated that he would not engage in discussions with what he referred to as the 'alleged private owner'. City of Johannesburg Economic Development MMC Nomoya Mnisi also had an urgent meeting with community leaders from the hostel on Tuesday to discuss the challenges they face.
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- The Citizen
Bail application for Shute shooter continues
The bail application hearing for Martin Wessels entered its third day at the Ladysmith Magistrate's Court today (May 14). State prosecutor Ms Khumalo made a surprise application for the magistrate to recuse herself from the case, claiming bias. Khumalo argued that Wessels was being treated like a privileged accused, as he was allowed to testify in both English and Afrikaans. She also raised concerns about the affidavit presented by defence attorney Justin Heunis, stating that he had translated it himself into English. Heunis countered that the affidavit had indeed been translated into English and handed to the prosecutor, and that the translation was for her own benefit. Heunis further argued that the magistrate had not yet made any decisions that would indicate bias, and therefore there were no grounds for recusal. After hearing arguments from both sides, the magistrate refused the application for recusal, allowing the case to proceed. With the recusal application dismissed, the court heard testimony from investigating officer Mr Mabaso. He provided background information on the deceased, Anton Lombard, describing him as a father of two young children, aged 11 and 13, whom he supported despite not living with their mother. Lombard was employed as a manager at Sentracor. Mabaso then outlined the state's reasons for opposing bail, citing four key concerns. He argued that Wessels was a flight risk, that his life would be at risk if he were released into the public, and that the public would also be at risk. Additionally, Mabaso claimed that Wessels might interfere with witnesses and that his history showed a disregard for the law. Also read: Shute shooter to remain in police custody Also read: Shute shooter appears in Ladysmith Magistrate's Court today The bail application hearing will continue tomorrow, with the court expected to hear further arguments from both the defence and the state. Wessels remains in custody. Please follow us on our YouTube channel and do not be shy; please subscribe and comment as well. Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
WATCH: Joburg residents weigh in on draft informal settlements policy
The City of Johannesburg's Human Settlements Department held a public participation process on the Draft Informal Settlements Policy at the South Rand Recreation Centre, Welfare Park, on April 23. The aim was to get the public's input to guide the city on how to address service delivery, upgrading projects and long-term development in and around the community. It was a chance to be heard and influence decisions directly impacting the residents' future in these informal settlements. MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, addressed the public, stating some challenges and how the policy would help pave the way forward. 'In this draft policy, we want to address some of the challenges you face as residents of these informal settlements – how we provide basic services, how we co-ordinate the entities in providing the services and how we manage the informal settlements in Johannesburg. 'We have more than 352 informal settlements in Johannesburg and have yet to formalise the first informal settlement. In that process, we encountered challenges because you can come to an informal settlement and find out they have 300 households or shacks. Then you plan. When you go back with the budget, they are now 700. You then have to go back again and re-adjust your plan,' he said. He said this makes it difficult to work. The policy looks at how to deal with situations when informal settlements are on undeveloped land, wetlands and privately owned land. 'In the informal settlements are people who own multiple shacks, people who own shacks in different informal settlements, and others living somewhere else but renting out shacks they own. They illegally sell electricity and water, while others take the communal taps and put them in their yards. 'We are developing this policy because we want a co-ordinated way of addressing these issues. If we don't deal with these issues, the informal settlements will grow in Johannesburg, and we will not formalise them because of these challenges. 'We've also realised that our co-ordination for providing basic services in the informal settlements is unco-ordinated. Johannesburg Water does its own thing when it goes to the informal settlement, and City Power also comes in without considering the formalisation process. That is why some informal settlements are unelectrified,' explained Mabaso. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
WATCH: City of Joburg consults public on draft policy for informal settlements
The City of Johannesburg's Human Settlements Department held a public participation process on the Draft Informal Settlements Policy at the South Rand Recreation Centre, Welfare Park, on April 23. The aim was to get the public's input to guide the city on how to address service delivery, upgrading projects and long-term development in and around the community. It was a chance to be heard and influence decisions directly impacting the residents' future in these informal settlements. MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, addressed the public, stating some challenges and how the policy would help pave the way forward. 'In this draft policy, we want to address some of the challenges you face as residents of these informal settlements – how we provide basic services, how we co-ordinate the entities in providing the services and how we manage the informal settlements in Johannesburg. 'We have more than 352 informal settlements in Johannesburg and have yet to formalise the first informal settlement. In that process, we encountered challenges because you can come to an informal settlement and find out they have 300 households or shacks. Then you plan. When you go back with the budget, they are now 700. You then have to go back again and re-adjust your plan,' he said. He said this makes it difficult to work. The policy looks at how to deal with situations when informal settlements are on undeveloped land, wetlands and privately owned land. 'In the informal settlements are people who own multiple shacks, people who own shacks in different informal settlements, and others living somewhere else but renting out shacks they own. They illegally sell electricity and water, while others take the communal taps and put them in their yards. 'We are developing this policy because we want a co-ordinated way of addressing these issues. If we don't deal with these issues, the informal settlements will grow in Johannesburg, and we will not formalise them because of these challenges. 'We've also realised that our co-ordination for providing basic services in the informal settlements is unco-ordinated. Johannesburg Water does its own thing when it goes to the informal settlement, and City Power also comes in without considering the formalisation process. That is why some informal settlements are unelectrified,' explained Mabaso. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
