Latest news with #Modise
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Tshwane councillors clash over budget
The Tshwane metro council meeting at Tshwane House witnessed intense debates as councillors scrutinised the latest budget. The budget, above R50-billion, was presented by the MMC for Finance and Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise last month. The debates, marked by political tensions and divergent views, highlighted the metro's ongoing financial challenges and the complexities of governance. Modise tabled a fully funded budget for the 2025/26 financial year in a move towards financial sustainability and improved service delivery. The budget was formally endorsed by the National Treasury, marking an achievement for the municipality, previously plagued by financial instability. He hailed his budget as a turning point in Tshwane governance and fiscal management. The budget doesn't rely on external loans or borrowing, which Modise described as 'historic and a reflection of responsible leadership'. Despite the budget's passage with 113 votes, opposition parties raised concerns. The DA rejected and criticised the budget, and described it as using residents as 'cash cows'. DA councillor Jacqui Uys highlighted that the ANC in Tshwane has ignored opposition voices and included another punitive tax on residents. Uys said the plan is to tax every single resident who cannot afford to use the metro's rubbish collectors, at R500 per month, by forcing them to pay R200 per month in the form of a City Cleansing Levy. 'Private waste collectors already pay a fee to utilise the metro's dumping grounds, and those using private collectors will now pay double. Those who cannot afford the metro's rates will be penalised for being poor. 'R20-million is allocated to pay for an advisor, who will facilitate transactions, getting the Rooiwal and Pretoria West Power Stations operated privately. However, the fine print makes it clear that there is no plan to rid Tshwane of Eskom's 93c/KwA Wheeling tariff,' said Uys. She said no independent power producer will be able to sell electricity at the loss this tariff causes. 'The deputy mayor, in his budget speech, celebrated that the water woes of Ikageng are over. In Ikageng, the taps are dry, but water tankers can be found everywhere. This budget has almost doubled the Water and Sanitation Department's water tanker budget.' As Tshwane navigates its financial recovery, the effectiveness of the implemented measures and the administration's commitment to equitable service delivery will remain under scrutiny. Godwin Ratikwane of the EFF commended the MMC of Finance for presenting an improved budget that directly addresses long-standing social injustices raised by communities in the township and informal settlements. He said this budget 'reflects a decisive departure from the neglect of the past administrations and stands as a testament to the party's commitment to uplift the marginalised and make it great again'. 'The fully funded budget backed by the National Treasury is a clear signal that this administration is not merely making hollow promises, but taking concrete steps to transformative change. 'Let it be known that the R1.7-billion allocated to emergency services will revitalise the department, long neglected, and address the communities and the staff shortages that have jeopardised public safety,' said Ratikwana. LISTEN: ActionSA's Tshepo Modiba said this budget is not just a compliance exercise but a plan for inclusive development, service delivery, acceleration, and financial resilience. 'It gives life to the service delivery priorities we have set as a collective. It is a budget that passes both the test of legality and the test of vision. 'We acknowledge that the majority of revenue comes from service charges, and we are strengthening the social package to protect the vulnerable. This budget ensures we maintain the balance between financial stability, sustainability, and social responsibility,' said Modiba. FF Plus councillor Grandi Theunissen rejected the budget and said it places a financial burden on residents, businesses, and property owners. He said instead of the budget fostering growth and stability, it prioritises revenue, extraction over ethical governance, disregards economic realities and fails to uphold financial justice. 'The new valuation role has caused property values to increase for an average of 24.17%, drastically increasing municipal tax obligations, the metro claims to soften the impact by 4%, and adjusting the threshold from R150 000 to R250 000. 'The controversial city cleaning levy unfairly targets households and businesses that do not rely on municipal waste collection, forcing them to pay for services that they do not use. This levy amounts to double taxation,' he said. LISTEN: Modise said the passing of the budget by the council marks a turning point for Tshwane's financial governance and service delivery capabilities. 'The approval of this budget restores credibility to the city's institutional capacity and sends a clear message that Tshwane is moving forward with purpose, discipline, and unity of vision. 'This outcome reflects extensive work behind the scenes, from council engagements to technical planning, all in service of building a city that works better for its people,' Modise said. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Eyewitness News
5 days ago
- Eyewitness News
Lawyer for man accused of raping, impregnating young girl tries to discredit investigator's testimony
JOHANNESBURG - The defence lawyer for a man accused of raping and impregnating an 11-year-old girl has attempted to poke holes in the testimony of the officer investigating the case. Frik van Rensburg posed several questions to the investigating officer, who submitted that the accused Ugandan man could be a flight risk. The man is alleged to have raped the minor in December last year. Is the denial of an alleged rape equivalent to lying about the offence? This was one of the questions that the Boksburg Magistrates Court grappled with as the man accused of raping an 11-year-old girl continued his quest for bail. Investigating officer, Simon Modise, took the stand and was met with a barrage of questions from the man's defence lawyer, Van Rensburg, who questioned Modise about the child's initial denial that she'd had sex when questioned by her Rensburg: "You, in your own words, testified now that she denied it. The mother then told the child: 'Tell me the truth', after which it was admitted. That's your testimony."Modise: "Your worship?" Van Rensburg: "Sir, I asked you if that's your testimony. Yes or no? It's easy."
The Star
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Mamelodi Sundowns aim to clinch CAF Champions League for captain fantastic Themba Zwane
Themba Zwane has engraved his name in continental football, endearing himself to the football fraternity due to his humble personality and footballing depth. So much so that as a rare opportunity looms large for him to hoist his second continental crown, the masses are rooting for him to go all the way. The Mamelodi Sundowns captain will lead his teammates when they face Pyramids FC in tomorrow's CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld (3pm kick-off) in the first of a two-legged tie. And that would be the first real chance for the team to grab the continental crown for the first time in nine years, their best finish since 2016 having been the semi-finals. The shortcomings over the years have stung for the club as they've invested a lot of resources into the team, trying to ensure that they finally get over the finish line. It must have also been painful for Zwane, as he felt that he couldn't do enough to guide the team into the showdown, having been in the squad that triumphed in 2016. But the football gods and hard work might finally repay Sundowns and Zwane as they are now two matches away from winning a record-extending second continental title. Teko Modise, speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the new Champions League trophy at TotalEnergies' offices in Rosebank yesterday, backed the team to go all the way. 'It's been eluding them for so many years, and but there's an opportunity to change that this time around,' said Modise, who was part of the Pitso Mosimane's Class of 2016. 'They have better players than we did in 2016, so I believe that they can win it. 'Pyramids might be playing in the final for the first time, but that doesn't mean they'll be a walkover. 'It's going to be tough come Saturday, but personally I want to see Mamelodi Sundowns win it, especially for Mshishi.' Modise is right – Mshishi, as Zwane is affectionately known, is befitting of winning the African crown. He has been the cornerstone of the Brazilians for years. Zwane led from the front when Sundowns won the last seven Premiership titles, and when he got injured this season, it sent the football masses into panic mode. However, his teammates were able to hold their own and steer the team to a record-extending eighth consecutive title via the Premiership last Sunday. Zwane's ability to recover just in time for their title coronation and the two-legged final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday and in Cairo on June 1 gives Modise comfort. 'Mshishi has never had (serious) injuries, but this season, he had a career-threatening injury that we didn't know how soon he'd be able to recover from,' Modise said. 'He's back and playing in the team. His influence on the team, on the pitch, is something that we need for this type of final. 'He was there in 2016 – alongside Denis Onyango – so he knows the feeling. 'You need such players to inspire the one that has never been in this position before.' Zwane is not only respected and adored by his former teammates such as Modise, but the current troops as well. As such, after the Brazilians' No 1 Ronwen Williams saw the new trophy for the first time yesterday, he made a selfless revelation. 'It looks amazing, and it's obviously much bigger than the previous one. It looks good, and the design is amazing. It feels real, and it's now settling in – it's showtime,' he said. 'I am happy that they didn't allow me to touch it. I wouldn't want to touch it before my captain Mshishi does. 'He deserves that honour to lift it in the next 10 days or so (in Cairo). 'But, yeah, we can't wait to (win) get our hands on it.' Williams and Co know that it won't be easy to win the title, given that Pyramids are also gunning for the crown after punching above their weight this season. But such are the heartbreaks that the Brazilians have endured in the past in competition, Williams insists that this final could make the wait worth it. 'That's why we come to Mamelodi Sundowns, because they are part and parcel of the big tournaments,' Williams added. 'There's nothing that's bigger than the CAF Champions League, especially in Africa. 'So yeah, it's amazing for us. 'This is years and years of hard-work and sacrifice, we have been pushing and kept grinding. 'We knew that one day, we'll knock the door down and get to the final. 'It's been eluding us for a long time. 'So, big credit and kudos to the players. They showed character and kept going after losing (in the semis). So, it's a perfect moment for us!'
Eyewitness News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
People evicted from hijacked buildings in Tshwane can apply for indigent programme
JOHANNESBURG - People evicted from hijacked buildings in the City of Tshwane can apply for the indigent programme to access alternative accommodation. As part of operation 'Reclaim Our City'- city officials evicted residents from buildings that it owns in Pretoria West. Reclaim Our City is focused on addressing bylaw violations, regulation compliance and cleaning up the city. READ: Tshwane loses 34% of its water, 22% of power supply through illegal connections at hijacked buildings - Modise On Thursday, Mayor Nasiphi Moya and other officials visited the buildings in the area to finalise their plans of cleaning up the empty structures and begin demolition. MMC responsible for road and transport, Tlangi Mogale said the programme is also open to other homeless people in Tshwane. "We also have homes and NGOs in partnerships, and we have signed MOUs with the city of Tshwane, where they actually have to house these homeless people, and they do get a subsidy to help the indigent people."
Eyewitness News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Tshwane loses 34% of its water, 22% of power supply through illegal connections at hijacked buildings
JOHANNESBURG - Tshwane Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise said that the city lost 34% of its water and 22% of electricity supply through illegal connections at hijacked buildings. Modise spoke during a visit to some of the buildings in Pretoria West on Thursday, where city officials sought to ensure that residents who were instructed to evacuate had done so. Thursday's efforts fell under Operation Reclaim the City, which was introduced in April during the State of the City Address by Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya. The programme was introduced to address among others, by-law violations, regulation compliance and cleaning up the city. Modise said: "In terms of water, its 34%, electcity and the major contributory is those ones that are occupying illegally, so what we were doing today is to assess buildings belonging to the city."
