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The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Residents blame metro for poor cemetery conditions
Outrage is mounting in the north of Pretoria as residents are at their wits' end with the Tshwane metro allegedly neglecting various cemeteries' upkeep. The resting places of loved ones have been described as sites riddled with long grass, weeds, and crime. Heatherdale Cemetery, in particular, has come under fire, with grieving families describing it as a jungle of disrespect. Ward 98 councillor Dana Wannenburg condemned the metro for failing to maintain these sacred spaces, despite ongoing complaints and public promises. 'It's not just about overgrown grass, it's about respect. People pay rates and taxes expecting basic services, not to bury their loved ones in filth and fear,' he said. Residents visiting Heatherdale Cemetery said they now have to bring their own gardening tools to clear burial plots. Tombstones are obscured by knee-high grass and overgrown shrubs, making it nearly impossible to locate graves. 'It's heartbreaking. We couldn't find my grandmother's grave on Mother's Day. We wandered around like strangers in a place that should feel sacred,' said Marco Washington, a local resident. Community members have also raised safety concerns over the thick vegetation providing hiding places for criminals and drug users. 'We've seen people using the cemetery as a dumping ground and a drug den. 'You don't know what or who is waiting behind the bushes. It's no longer safe to visit alone.' Mosquitoes and snakes have also become a hazard, with elderly mourners particularly vulnerable to bites and falls. Despite a commitment made by the mayor and the mayoral committee at a public meeting on May 21 to prioritise cleaning of the Heatherdale Cemetery, no action has been taken. 'We were told help was on the way. We're still waiting. 'How long must we beg to be treated with dignity?' Wannenburg has called on the municipality to take urgent action to clean and maintain all cemeteries. Residents have started logging complaints through the metro's online portal and emailing municipal departments directly, in the hope that co-ordinated pressure will lead to change. 'This is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Our cemeteries must be places of peace, not danger. The city must step up, not only out of duty, but out of decency,' he 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Times Square turns International Burger Day into month-long celebration
To celebrate International Burger Day, Times Square has transformed the day into a month-long celebration with two of its local restaurants offering mouth-watering burgers. The day is celebrated globally on May 28 every year and marks a celebration of the iconic and versatile burger. It is dedicated to honouring the delicious combination of a juicy patty, fresh toppings, and a soft bun that has become a culinary staple around the world. Sous chef Kgomotso Comfort Modise explained the meaning behind the day. 'We have realised that people love fast food, they want it fresh, tasty and well done; that is what keeps them coming for more.' Both restaurants marked the day with exclusive burger specials, offering the Appetite burger and Wagyu burger. Burger enthusiast Gugu Hadebe acknowledged the celebration. 'It is a great concept, especially for burger lovers like me. My favourite burger is the baconater because I'm a lover of bacon. I'm a burger fan in general, and it's mostly my first opinion meal,' she said. She emphasised that Burger Day must remain an annual celebration. 'It is a great concept for burger lovers and it's something to look forward to every year,' said Hadebe. Another burger enthusiast, Lesego Mojela, echoed the same sentiments. 'As a burger lover, I hope events like this can be hosted more often. As much as it is international, it must be made more relevant for people to indulge in different burgers.' ALSO READ: Latest crime stats paints complex picture for Centurion communities 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!
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- The Citizen
Pretoria crime stats: Everything you need to know
Pretoria crime stats: Everything you need to know The police have released the crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, covering January to March 2025. For residents of Pretoria and the wider Tshwane area, the figures reveal a troubling picture of rising violent and property-related crime in key precincts. While national figures show a slight overall decline in reported crimes, several Pretoria and Tshwane suburbs are facing spikes in serious criminal activity—especially violent crime, carjackings, residential burglaries, and sexual offences. Here is a summary of the recently released crime stats: Crimes That Increased: Murder: Pretoria Central Station saw a 66.7% increase in murders. Mamelodi West recorded a 23.5% rise in murders. Attempted Murder: Pretoria Central registered a 33.3% spike. Mamelodi East showed a remarkable increase. Sexual Offences: Garsfontein and Pretoria Central experienced notable rises in reported rape cases. Common Robbery & Robbery with Aggravating Circumstances: Garsfontein: Jump in common robbery. Pretoria West and Mamelodi precincts: Increased aggravated robberies targeting residents, including at gunpoint. Carjacking: Pretoria West and Mamelodi East: High carjacking activity reported , with upward trends. Residential Burglaries: Brooklyn and Villieria: Marked increases, with more homes being broken into. Akasia and Pretoria Moot areas also reported more cases. Theft of Motor Vehicles & Motorcycles: Lyttelton and Brooklyn saw noticeable upticks. Drug-Related Crimes: Sinoville and Akasia: Drug-related crimes are on the rise. Commercial Crime (Fraud, Scams, etc.): Menlyn and Pretoria Central: Significant increase in fraudulent activity and white-collar crimes. Assault with Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm: High in Mamelodi West and Pretoria Central. Also read: Watch: Snowfall confirmed – Here's what it means for Pretoria 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!
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Debt relief deadline looms
With just 10 days remaining, the Tshwane metro has urged residents and businesses to take advantage of its Debt Relief and Incentive Scheme before the final deadline on May 31. This initiative, championed by Deputy Mayor and MMC for Finance, Eugene Modise, is designed to ease the financial burden of municipal debt and provide residents with a clean slate. The scheme has seen a strong engagement across Tshwane since its inception, with more than 19 853 amnesty application forms submitted. Among these, 5 069 applications specifically target electricity debt relief, which is a pressing issue that continues to impact households and businesses across the metro. 'We are encouraged by the response so far, but we want to remind those who have not yet applied that the window is closing fast. Time is of the essence,' said Modise. Modise said one of the best outcomes of the initiative has been the writing off of R1.84-billion in debt from 31 540 inactive accounts. He said these are accounts no longer reflect active consumption but have long-standing arrears, which placed a heavy strain on the metro's finances. By removing this debt from its books, the municipality not only improves its financial outlook but also demonstrates a commitment to restoring financial stability for its constituents. In addition to the inactive accounts, the metro confirmed that 460 residential accounts and 19 business accounts have been successfully approved for the debt relief option. This has resulted in R76.54-million in affected debt and R26.5-million officially written off. Modise said the metro's programme has also made strides in helping indigent households. 'We have written off R2.42-billion from indigent accounts.' The May 31 deadline is the last chance for residents and business owners to submit their applications. The process allows individuals to enter into payment agreements or apply for full or partial relief, depending on their financial situation. 'This reflects our unwavering commitment to social responsibility. 'We are dedicated to ensuring equitable access to essential services for all residents of Tshwane.' 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!
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Expectant mothers encouraged to check on their hypertension this month
Expectant mothers encouraged to check on their hypertension this month With World Hypertension Day on May 17, expecting mothers are encouraged to monitor their stress as it could pose health complications. Local obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Rogers Mmabatswa is launching an awareness campaign aimed at educating residents about the dangers of high blood pressure and the importance of early detection and care. 'Routine monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy is crucial. Early detection and proper management can significantly reduce the risk of both mother and baby,' Dr Mmabatswa said. May is often recognised as Hypertension Awareness Month to raise awareness about the risks and prevention of high blood pressure. In South Africa, there's also Salt Awareness Week from May 15-21, emphasising the link between salt intake and hypertension. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects 10% of pregnancies worldwide and is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal complications, including preeclampsia, preterm birth and low birth weight. Ways to combat hypertension include: – Reduced caffeine intake – Limit alcohol – Less salt – Less processed foods – More exercise – Enough hours of sleep – Quit smoking – Lose weight Expectant mothers and their families are encouraged to consult with their healthcare providers about hypertension screening. 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!
