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The Citizen
19-05-2025
- The Citizen
Video: 4 children under 2 die in Johannesburg house fire
Tragedy struck this morning in Mayfair, Johannesburg, when four children, all under the age of two, died in a devastating house fire. According to an article published by Northcliff Melville Times, a statement issued by the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) stated that the fire was reported at around 11:00 today. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find the house engulfed in flames. During the search and rescue operation, the team recovered the bodies of four children, all aged two or younger, said the statement, issued by communications manager Robert Mulaudzi. The children were confirmed dead at the scene. Smoke inhalation was the likely cause of death, said Mulaudzi. Early reports indicate that a heating device could have caused the fire. Mulaudzi urged people to use heating devices with caution. 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!
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
SAWS warns public against fake winter cold-spell message
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has moved to dispel a widely circulating hoax message claiming a countrywide cold spell until August, attributing it to a phenomenon called 'Aphelion'. SAWS emphatically states that this claim is false and misleading. According to an article by Northcliff Melville Times, in clarifying the matter, SAWS explains that 'Aphelion' is indeed the point in earth's orbit when it is farthest from the sun. While this astronomical event is expected to occur on July 3 at 15:54, SAWS stresses that this distance variation has no significant impact on temperatures or seasons in South Africa. The nation's seasons are determined by the earth's axial tilt, not its distance from the sun. SAWS urges the public to refrain from circulating this inaccurate information. According to its seasonal climate watch issued on Friday, both minimum and maximum temperatures are anticipated to be above normal for most of the country during winter. This means temperatures are expected to be warmer than typically experienced during South African winters. While warmer conditions are generally forecast, SAWS acknowledges that South Africa will still be affected by various winter weather systems known to cause temperature drops, such as cold fronts and cut-off lows. The southern coastal regions are specifically predicted to experience below-normal temperatures for the remainder of the winter period. Addressing another climate factor, SAWS confirms that the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (Enso) has returned to a neutral state and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. SAWS adds that Enso has limited influence on South Africa during winter and is not anticipated to have a significant impact. As winter commences, rainfall is expected to focus primarily on the south-western parts of the country, as well as the east and south coastal regions. These areas are predicted to receive below-normal rainfall during the early, mid, and late winter periods. 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!
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Newclare residents face severe housing crisis
Residents in Newclare, Region B, are facing dire housing conditions, as decades of neglect have led to the severe deterioration of city-owned flats. Johannesburg DA councillor Andrew Marais has raised concerns over the acute shortage of social housing, compounded by the deteriorating state of existing city-owned buildings. Read more: Raw sewage pollutes local waterways Marais highlighted that much of the city's housing stock consists of ageing apartment blocks, which have suffered from years of neglected maintenance and repair. Overcrowding has further exacerbated the problem, placing excessive strain on outdated and deteriorating infrastructure, including electricity, water, and sanitation systems. 'These buildings are in dire need of upgrading and repair,' he stated. Adding to the crisis, many residents in city-owned flats have stopped paying rent and municipal service fees, due to past promises that ownership of the units would be transferred to them. Marais warned that this situation is financially unsustainable and has contributed to the buildings' poor condition. 'The city does not have the resources to carry these costs indefinitely,' he said, emphasising the need to distinguish between residents who can afford to pay for upkeep, and those who genuinely require financial assistance. Also read: Westdene Spruit battles with raw sewage Ward 82 health portfolio committee member Bernadette Lewis, who resides in Gertrude Flats, described the appalling living conditions, caused by failing infrastructure. 'Every time the complex has a sewage issue, it ends up in front of our door,' she said. Lewis, who lives with her elderly mother and three children, shared that leaks from upper floors seep through the walls and ceilings, causing significant damage to lower units. A walk through Newclare's flats reveals a grim reality: Structural damage, plumbing failures, electrical hazards, and rooves in disrepair. Residents also struggle with inadequate heating, pest infestations, and ongoing safety concerns due to the buildings' age – many of which are over 60 years old. The lack of maintenance has left these homes vulnerable to the elements, with rainwater seeping through broken gutters, windows, and door frames. Addressing the crisis, Marais stressed the need for a significant investment in housing, acknowledging that the government alone cannot meet this financial burden. He proposed the establishment of a housing corporation within the ward, to provide social and subsidised housing through a public-private partnership. This corporation would function independently of the municipality, managing its own budget and operations. Marais suggested that a professional property management consultant be engaged to develop a sustainable housing model. The Northcliff Melville Times did approach Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) on the housing issue, however no comment was forthcoming by time of going to print. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Swimming in sewage At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
