Latest news with #SowetoUrbanNews
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Gauteng MEC to visit Maponya Mall to assess ongoing tensions in public transport sector
Gauteng MEC to visit Maponya Mall to assess ongoing tensions in public transport sector Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, will visit Maponya Mall on Thursday to assess ongoing tensions in the public transport sector, engage with affected stakeholders, and review the situation on the ground. This is according to the South African Government News Agency ( The visit follows a violent incident on Wednesday at the mall, allegedly involving taxi operators and e-hailing drivers, which resulted in one fatality and left two others injured. ALSO READ: One dead in suspected taxi violence at Maponya Mall In response to the growth of e-hailing services, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed an amended National Land Transport Act (NLTA) 5 of 2009 into law last year, allowing e-hailing operators to apply for operating licences in the same manner as other public transport providers. @sowetourbannews Community blocks roads following e-hailing violence at Maponya Mall, Soweto Protestors march in support of e-hailing drivers after a e-hailing driver was killed in a suspected taxi violence attack on August 13. Workers of Maponya Mall also came out in numbers in their uniform to join the protest. 📹: @ #maponyamall #klipspruit ♬ original sound – Soweto Urban News – Soweto Urban News The National Land Transport Act was originally presented to the president in 2020 but was returned to the National Assembly for reconsideration. The revised Bill updates the Act to reflect developments since its implementation, simplifies provisions, and resolves issues that have arisen. ALSO READ: WATCH: Community protests after the death and injuries of e-hailing drivers It also makes allowances for non-motorised and accessible transport and expands the minister's powers to introduce regulations and safety measures. The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport continues to monitor the situation closely and aims to ensure the safety of commuters while maintaining order in the sector.
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
NPA separates cases of couple charged after Eldorado Park girl's death
The case against the parents of a four-year-old girl from Eldorado Park in Soweto, who is the victim of abuse, has been postponed until Monday. Both the father and mother will remain in custody while the state prepares to oppose bail. The four-year-old girl, who is not named to protect the identity of her three-year-old brother, passed away on Friday at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. She was in ICU since August 6 after she was assaulted and nearly drowned, allegedly by her father. Provincial SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo previously confirmed to Soweto Urban News that the initial case docket of attempted murder was changed to murder after her death. According to Soweto Urban News, the father and mother each made a brief, separate appearance at the Protea Magistrate's Court yesterday. The father of the four-year-old is facing five counts: Murder, rape, compelled rape, child abuse, and assault of a minor. The mother, who is reportedly pregnant, is facing a charge of failing to immediately report a sexual offence committed against a minor. The presiding magistrate postponed the matter to allow for a formal bail application. NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane explained to the media outside the court that while both accused were arrested, the NPA decided to separate the two cases. This was due to a lack of evidence that the alleged offences were committed jointly. Cases separated 'Now that we know alleged offences are not intertwined, we then had to separate the two matters for the mother to appear alone as well as the father,' said Mjonondwane. 'With the case against the father, he is now facing five charges, we have added three additional charges to the two that he was facing in his first appearance. While the mother on the second docket is facing the charge of failing to immediately report a sexual offence against a minor.' She added that according to the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act 32 of 2007, one has a duty to report such a crime. Mjonondwane stated that the state will be opposing bail, and reasons will be advanced in court. Calls for justice Bandile Masuku, the chairperson of the portfolio committee, said that committee members were there to pay their respects to the family and community of Eldorado Park. 'This is one of the many [cases] we continually get reported on in the country and it is important that every time we get such cases as a community and legislature we rally behind the fight against women and children abuse,' said Masuku. Eldorado Park ward councillor Juwairiya Kaldine told the media that she believes the country's justice system is failing women and children and that the case should be handled by a female magistrate. 'The government of today sitting in legislature need to relook at the constitution of this country because the constitution we are currently guided by [does] not stand [up] for women and children in this country,' said Kaldine. 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
