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The Citizen
5 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Community spirit shines as residents clean up neglected park
A run-down park in Nieuw Muckleneuk has been revived by passionate residents who are committed to improving their neighbourhood. Volunteers from the South of Middle (SoM) Precinct rolled up their sleeves to clear piles of rubbish, cut back overgrown trees and clean the derelict tennis court in a bid to restore the public space to its former glory. Briony Allen, a member of the SoM Precinct group, described the clean-up as a 'resounding success'. 'It was very successful. We had some trees cut down, they cleaned the old tennis court, and we had a lot of the rubbish removed. It was a good morning,' Allen said. She explained that the park was chosen as the focus for the initiative because of its prominence in the neighbourhood. Allen said they were obviously trying to clean up the area of Nieuw Muckleneuk, for which they now have a City Improvement District (CID) registered. 'The park is quite a big part of our area, and it is unfortunately quite run down. We thought it would be a good place to start. 'It's also accessible for people, and I think it makes a big difference when people drive past an area like that and they see it is all clean and tidy. That's why we started with the park.' The clean-up attracted a healthy turnout of volunteers, despite being planned at short notice, and even drew support from residents who could not attend. 'The response was amazing. On our SoM Precinct community group chat, people were very thankful and impressed,' said Allen. She said they actually had a lot of people make donations that helped cover the cost of the rubble removal and the equipment. 'The community were very, very thankful, and a lot of them came out to help,' she said, adding that one of the residents even came out to set up a little coffee stand for volunteers. The success of the initiative has already sparked talk of future projects. Allen said there's just a lot of positivity now from people who want to do things in the area. 'Obviously, people always talk about change, and it's easy to talk about it. However, to actually come out and make change, to give your time or give a donation, is where the difference really starts to happen.' She added that people almost get more excited about doing other projects in the future, whether it's donating money to fix the potholes or the streetlights. The SoM Precinct CID has already undertaken a pothole repair initiative in partnership with the metro and an approved contractor. 'We've just finished fixing a whole lot of potholes in the area,' Allen said. 'It's very expensive to do, but it shows what we can achieve as a community when people work together.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] 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!
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
Man arrested over tampering of power lines in Elandspoort
Man arrested over tampering of power lines in Elandspoort Ward 1 councillor, Leon Kruyshaar, has expressed his concern at the ongoing spate of cable theft incidents in the west of Pretoria. This follows the arrest of a 33-year-old suspected of tampering with municipal infrastructure by the Tshwane Metro Police Department's (TMPD) cable theft unit. According to a social media post by the TMPD, said a man was apprehended in Elandspoort in the west of Pretoria, after receiving a tip-off on July 19. 'TMPD members responded to a complaint in Elandspoort. Upon arrival, a suspect was found in the act of tampering with essential infrastructure.' The suspect was arrested and detained at a local police station. Kruyshaar said cable theft continued to be a recurring struggle for the west of Pretoria. He reported that on Van Der Hoff Road near the Zandfontein Substation, four feeders were reported to be down on July 21. 'It's just almost no chance that four feeders go down at the same time. Maybe one, but not four. 'These cables have been stolen on numerous occasions. Just in the last month, I think this is the fourth time they've been stolen. 'This matter needs to be escalated to the cable theft team. We need to make this a priority, stop the cable theft in this area, because it's really an inconvenience to consumers and factories in the area. 'Those who don't have generators either have to close down for the day or work with the inconvenience and suffer financial losses,' Kruyshaar said. Estimations are that South Africa loses more than R500-million every year due to cable theft and vandalism of municipal infrastructure. Residents can report any suspicious behaviour to 012 358 7095/6. Watch here: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] 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!
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
Breakthrough in DJ Sumbody murder: Suspects to appear in court
Breakthrough in DJ Sumbody murder: Suspects to appear in court Four suspects are scheduled to appear in court on July 22 for the alleged killing of popular Pretoria DJ and businessman, Oupa John Sefoka, also known as 'DJ Sumbody'. The group faces charges that include murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The SAPS Political Killings Task Team made this breakthrough almost three years after Sefoka was killed in a hail of bullets in November 2022. He was coming from a gig in Woodmead when he and his security detail were allegedly ambushed near the Engen Woodlands in Sandton. Sefoka was a renowned South African DJ, radio personality, and successful co-owner of the restaurant and entertainment bar Ayepyep in Cape Town, Top-Notch restaurant in Pretoria, and other ventures. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said on June 21 that the team arrested four men, between 45 and 60, in connection with the murder of Sefoka. Mathe stated that the Gauteng Organised Crime Detectives worked on the case, and later called in the SAPS Political Killings Task Team to assist them. 'The arrests were all effected in Gauteng on Monday afternoon. Three of the suspects are believed to be hitmen, and one is believed to have ordered the hit on the DJ,' she explained. Mathe said the weapon allegedly used in the commission of the crime was seized and has since been linked to other murders. 'All four suspects are in police custody and are expected to appear in court,' she added. The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, has welcomed the latest breakthrough by the SAPS Political Killings Task Team, working closely with Gauteng Organised Crime Detectives. Masemola said that this is a significant breakthrough that will hopefully provide closure to families involved. 'Well done to the teams that have been piecing together evidence since November 2022. This is a culmination of hard work and dedication to justice. This is one of those complex cases that our teams needed to take their time in ensuring a thorough investigation so that we could ultimately bring a strong case before court,' said Masemola. ALSO READ: Evicted illegal squatters set up structures outside secured wetland Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] 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!
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
Duo to appear in court in theft of water meters case
Duo to appear in court in theft of water meters case Two men, aged 25 and 27, were arrested for the possession of suspected stolen water meters on the weekend in Akasia. The duo is expected to appear before the Pretoria North Magistrates' Court on July 22. According to police, theft of water meters is being highlighted as part of a growing trend of infrastructure-related crimes plaguing the north of Pretoria. Pretoria North police spokesperson, Sergeant Tumisang Moloto, said the arrest took place on July 19, during a routine patrol by sector policing members along Willem Cruywagen Street. Moloto said the officers spotted two men carrying large bags. 'A stop-and-search was immediately conducted. Upon searching the bags, police discovered multiple water meters and tools believed to be used to dismantle the infrastructure. 'When questioned, the suspects failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the items in their possession,' he said. Police arrested the duo on the spot for possession of suspected stolen property. Moloto said the case has since been handed over to investigators, and further charges could follow if the suspects are linked to any other infrastructure-related crimes in the area. Pretoria North police said the theft of water meters has become a common issue in the region, contributing to unnecessary service disruptions. Acting station commander Lieutenant Colonel Theunis Smit welcomed the arrest and praised the vigilance of the officers involved in the operation. He emphasised the importance of maintaining visibility and strong sector policing to curb the ongoing theft of essential public infrastructure. He further appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, especially individuals seen tampering with public infrastructure such as fire hydrants, water meters or electrical boxes. The suspects are currently being held at the Pretoria North police station, pending their formal appearance in court. Police investigations are ongoing, and the authorities are working to determine whether the recovered water meters were reported stolen. ALSO READ: World Brain Day: More than 40% of dementia cases can be prevented Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] 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!
The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Coetzé wins South Africa's first gold medal at the World University Games
21-year-old Pieter Coetzé claimed South Africa's first gold medal at the World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr this past weekend with his victory in the 100m backstroke. His winning time of 51.99 seconds is a new African and World Student Record. For now, it is also the fastest time in the world. It is incredible how Coetzé swam a speedier time every time he dived in. In the heats, his time was 53.34 seconds, and in the semi-finals, it was 52.18 seconds. There is a good chance that the Tuks swimmer will win more medals later in the later in the Games. The swimming program runs until Wednesday. His time of 24.50 seconds in the semi-final of the 50m backstroke was the fastest on Sunday, while he also qualified for the final in the 100m freestyle with another fastest semi-final time of 48.30 seconds, which is also a new personal best for him in this event. Coetzé is a specialist backstroke swimmer, but he makes no secret of the fact that he enjoys swimming the freestyle when the opportunity arises. He will, unfortunately, not compete in the 200m backstroke as he will also be competing in the World Championships in Singapore, which start this coming weekend. The time difference between Germany and Singapore is six hours. According to TuksSwimming head coach, Rocco Meiring, Coetzé must have sufficient time to acclimatise. Therefore, he will miss out on competing in the 200 m backstroke, which is one of the last items on the swimming program at the Student Games. Coetzé is often referred to as a true competitor. Someone who likes to test himself against the best. 'A lot of times when I train, it feels like I'm just an average swimmer. When I race, something happens. I'm different when competing than when training. I like competition and the pressure that comes with it,' he recently explained his onslaught during competitions. In an interview earlier this year Coetzé was asked about his preferences as a backstroke swimmer and what distance in the pool is his favourite. 'You could say the 200m backstroke is my best event, but I will always compete in the 100 and 50 meters. Remember, I come from a sprint background,' was his reply. – Another local swimmer from Pretoria, Lara van Niekerk, won the silver medal in the 50m breaststroke on Sunday. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
