Latest news with #Sangweni
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Emfuleni municipality rebuffs claims of traffic department collapse amid equipment removal scandal
The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has strongly denied allegations that its traffic department has collapsed, following reports that a service provider allegedly removed vital traffic control equipment and data. The municipality has labelled the claims as exaggerated and misleading, assuring residents that traffic operations are still functional. This comes after the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) raised concerns that the absence of functioning traffic control systems could result in a spike in traffic violations and lawlessness on the roads. The party claims the department lost access to all fine records from 2021 to 16 July 2025 after critical equipment was removed. 'The removed equipment includes speed cameras and cameras used to record motor vehicle accidents. The service provider removed its equipment before the end of its contract, because the Municipality failed to pay. A new system was implemented on 16 July this year.' The ELM has firmly rejected claims that its traffic department has collapsed due to the removal of equipment by a service provider. The municipality criticised political parties for spreading misinformation through the media without offering them a chance to respond. 'We reject the slandering of the municipality by political parties seeking cheap political points, especially when we were not given the right of reply.' Emfuleni Municipality Communications Manager Makhosonke Sangweni explained that the removal of traffic equipment was due to the expiry of the previous service provider's three-year contract, and the withdrawal formed part of standard procedure at the end of such agreements. Sangweni stated that a new service provider has been formally appointed to take over operations, with several key steps already underway. These include staff recruitment, installation of necessary hardware and software, and training on the new system. He added that data capturing began on July 15, with 4 524 new cases successfully recorded, and the latest electronic equipment was expected to arrive by August 6. 'A total of 70 hand-held electronic devices for law enforcement are expected to be delivered on August 6, with officer training scheduled for the same day,' he said. Additionally, vehicles and mobile cameras have been provided, enabling Traffic Officers to resume speed enforcement from 16 July. Sangweni emphasised that the Municipality firmly rejects claims suggesting a collapse in traffic control due to equipment issues. He clarified that speed law enforcement remains active and ongoing, despite the transition between service providers. 'Enforcement for speed prosecutions is still taking place while traffic officers continue to write summonses for offences related to the violation of the National Road Traffic Act,' he added. The embattled municipality faced yet another setback last week when, on August 30, employees and residents were left stunned after arriving at the Vanderbijlpark municipal offices only to find the premises locked, allegedly due to unpaid rent. The unexpected closure left many residents frustrated and uncertain about how to access basic municipal services, including making payments and handling queries. The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it has written to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), urging it to intervene and compel the ELM to get back on track. The party questioned why the municipality continues to rent office space when it already owns properties, and said it would request CoGTA to investigate this practice and ensure the municipality makes use of its existing assets. DA's Kingsol Chabalala slammed the municipality for poor planning, saying the office closure over unpaid rent is disgraceful, especially while money is still being spent on overtime. He added that the closure reflects the municipality's misplaced priorities and ongoing failure to deliver services, saying the current administration has let Emfuleni residents down. ' They don't prioritise the needs of the residents, it's all about what they can benefit, which they have achieved by bringing this municipality to its knees. ' The municipality has been unable to access its bank account for the past two months after Rand Water attached it over an outstanding debt of R1.7 billion, a long-standing issue that continues to cripple operations. Although the municipal offices reopened on July 31, Sangweni accused Rand Water of acting in bad faith. He said the municipality has a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in place to address water and sanitation service delivery and manage debt. Sangweni added that Rand Water's actions appear nefarious, especially as Emfuleni is in the process of establishing a 30-year partnership aimed at improving service delivery. The Star [email protected]
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Emfuleni municipality rebuffs claims of traffic department collapse amid equipment removal scandal
The Emfuleni Local Municipality refutes claims that its traffic department has collapsed, asserting that operations are intact despite reports of critical equipment removal. The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has strongly denied allegations that its traffic department has collapsed, following reports that a service provider allegedly removed vital traffic control equipment and data. The municipality has labelled the claims as exaggerated and misleading, assuring residents that traffic operations are still functional. This comes after the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) raised concerns that the absence of functioning traffic control systems could result in a spike in traffic violations and lawlessness on the roads. The party claims the department lost access to all fine records from 2021 to 16 July 2025 after critical equipment was removed. 'The removed equipment includes speed cameras and cameras used to record motor vehicle accidents. The service provider removed its equipment before the end of its contract, because the Municipality failed to pay. A new system was implemented on 16 July this year.' The ELM has firmly rejected claims that its traffic department has collapsed due to the removal of equipment by a service provider. The municipality criticised political parties for spreading misinformation through the media without offering them a chance to respond. 'We reject the slandering of the municipality by political parties seeking cheap political points, especially when we were not given the right of reply.' Emfuleni Municipality Communications Manager Makhosonke Sangweni explained that the removal of traffic equipment was due to the expiry of the previous service provider's three-year contract, and the withdrawal formed part of standard procedure at the end of such agreements. Sangweni stated that a new service provider has been formally appointed to take over operations, with several key steps already underway. These include staff recruitment, installation of necessary hardware and software, and training on the new system. He added that data capturing began on July 15, with 4 524 new cases successfully recorded, and the latest electronic equipment was expected to arrive by August 6. 'A total of 70 hand-held electronic devices for law enforcement are expected to be delivered on August 6, with officer training scheduled for the same day,' he said. Additionally, vehicles and mobile cameras have been provided, enabling Traffic Officers to resume speed enforcement from 16 July. Sangweni emphasised that the Municipality firmly rejects claims suggesting a collapse in traffic control due to equipment issues. He clarified that speed law enforcement remains active and ongoing, despite the transition between service providers. 'Enforcement for speed prosecutions is still taking place while traffic officers continue to write summonses for offences related to the violation of the National Road Traffic Act,' he added. The embattled municipality faced yet another setback last week when, on August 30, employees and residents were left stunned after arriving at the Vanderbijlpark municipal offices only to find the premises locked, allegedly due to unpaid rent.
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Council approves SPV to deal with water and sanitation issues in ELM
Council approves SPV to deal with water and sanitation issues in ELM VANDERBIJLPARK – In a major step toward improving water and sanitation services in the region, the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Council has approved the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in partnership with Rand decision was made during a Special Council Sitting held on July 1. According to ELM's spokesperson, Makhosonke Sangweni, the newly endorsed SPV will take over full responsibility for the delivery and management of water and sanitation services in Emfuleni, marking a strategic shift aimed at achieving sustainable service delivery. 'The SPV is expected to operate as an independent company and will serve the municipality for the next 30 years. Once operational, it will be accountable for all systems involved in water and sanitation provision to residents and stakeholders.' In a statement, ELM revealed that the formation of the SPV follows months of preparation and the successful securing of key approvals. On June 10, ELM received conditional support from the Minister of Finance, followed by approval from the Minister of Water and Sanitation on June 25. These endorsements were granted under specific conditions outlined in the Public Finance Management Act. The new structure aims to address Emfuleni's long-standing water challenges, which have been exacerbated by financial and operational difficulties within its existing Water and Sanitation Unit, Metsi-a-Lekoa. The ELM has labelled the move as a game-changer, stating that it will be geared towards professionalising and corporatising water services. 'This will significantly enhance our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality services,' Sangweni adds. Previously, ELM had signed a memorandum of understanding with Rand Water in September 2023 to conduct a due diligence study on Metsi-a-Lekoa. Work on the SPV launch was delayed late last year, but officials now say the project is back on track and nearing final executive approval. Speaking to Boipatong residents recently who were complaining about damaged infrastructure and sewage running down their streets and into their yards, MMC for Public Works, Tumi Mochawe, highlighted that the municipality had been faced with a problem of aged infrastructure. An optimistic Mochawe, however, promised residents that water and sanitation problems would soon be a thing of the past in ELM due to the approval of the SPV. Sangweni said both ELM and Rand Water teams are in the final stages of implementation. 'The municipality is optimistic about the SPV's impact on improving service delivery and infrastructure management in the region. The official name of the SPV will be revealed at its upcoming launch.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Reuters
06-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Tanzania says to launch oil exploration licensing round in May
Companies Show more companies DAR ES SALAAM, March 6 (Reuters) - Tanzania said on Thursday it will launch its fifth oil and gas licensing round in May in which 26 exploration blocks will be put to auction to help draw fresh investment in the east African country's hydrocarbons sector. Of the blocks on offer, 23 are offshore in the Indian Ocean while three are also offshore but in Lake Tanganyika, Charles Sangweni, director general for the country's Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) told Reuters. It will be Tanzania's first oil and gas licensing round in more than a decade. Past exploration led to the discovery of more than 57 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves that the country is now using to generate more than half of its electricity. Sangweni said they are targeting to launch the exploration round during an Africa energy summit in London in May. "This kind of activity (launching licensing round) is required to be conducted in major conferences which attracts major investors of the oil and gas sector," he said. "The nearest conference we are targeting for that activity is the Africa Energy Summit that will be held in May in London." Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan's administration is expected to conclude negotiations on a stalled $42 billion LNG project with investors by June. Equinor ( opens new tab and Shell (SHEL.L), opens new tab are joint operators of the country's mega gas project, while Exxon Mobil (XOM.N), opens new tab, Pavilion Energy, Medco Energi ( opens new tab, and Tanzania's national oil company TPDC are partners. Get a look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets with the Morning Bid U.S. newsletter. Sign up here.
