Latest news with #township
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Wilmot considering fireworks bylaw changes
The Township of Wilmot will review recommendations for a new fireworks bylaw at Monday night's council meeting. Four suggestions have been put forward by township staff. The first involves reducing the number of days fireworks are permitted. Under the current bylaw, they are only allowed on unspecified holidays, as well as one day before and after. The recommendation would define those holidays, including Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and the Lunar New Year. The second recommendation would setting specific times for firework displays, a stipulation the township does not currently have. The staff report explained setting a standard expectation would benefit those who want to avoid fireworks. The next suggestion is one that has already been debated in both Kitchener and Waterloo. The report proposes banning the sale of fireworks in the township starting in 2026. The last recommendation is to increase fines for firework-related infractions from $150 to $250, to $500. Community comparison Wilmot is not the only community taking another look at its firework bylaws Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, North Dumfries, Wellesley and Woolwich have been working together to review restrictions, management and enforcement. Here's how things stand as of June 2, 2025:
CBS News
6 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
North Huntingdon Township battling squatters parked on old restaurant property
After a three-year, drawn-out court battle to get the Rivertowne Pub in North Huntingdon condemned and demolished, the township is now dealing with apparent squatters living in a camper on the property. According to neighbors, the camper trailer has been parked on the lot since before the old Rivertowne Pub along Route 30 was condemned and demolished last year. KDKA-TV spoke via phone with Eric Gass, who is the township commissioner for Ward 7, where this blighted strip of land sits. He says this property has been a headache for years and the camper squatters are just the latest issues they have had. "So we have issued a violation notice, we have given them 20 days to resolve everything," Gass said. "Those 20 days started about two or three days ago. And after that, we are going to issue a citation as we plan to abate or have them removed from the property." Gass says the property is currently owned by an LLC that is largely absent from what has been going on, so dealing with this lot has fallen to the township. He says the two big issues are public health and public safety. These squatters are discarding tons of trash, and that trash attracts rodents and disease. And there is reason to believe that some of that trash may be being burned. "You are only allowed to burn certain things on certain times on certain days in the township. There is an ordinance on that," said Gass. "So yeah, there is concern. And if we were going through a dry season, of course you'd be concerned about spillage of that fire, because it is very wooded and that could find itself to the businesses to the left, to the right, as well as the Dusty Rhodes trailer park." The township hopes that this land will be cleared soon and the company that owns it will redevelop it.
The Guardian
29-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
South African woman given life sentence for trafficking six-year-old daughter
A South African woman and two accomplices were sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday for trafficking her then-six-year-old daughter, in a case that has gained international attention since the child went missing last year. Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno Van Rhyn were convicted of kidnapping and trafficking the girl, Joshlin Smith, after she disappeared from a small township in the Western Cape. In a trial that shocked the country, a witness said Kelly Smith told her that she had sold her daughter to a sangoma, or traditional healer, for 20,000 rand (£830) and that the girl was desired for her 'eyes and skin'. Joshlin has still not been found despite an extensive police search. Announcing their sentences on Thursday, high court judge Nathan Erasmus said the fact Kelly Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn were drug users was no excuse. 'There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming and deserving of a lesser sentence than the harshest I can impose,' Erasmus said. For kidnapping, the three were given 10-year jail terms.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
African Bank's acquisition strategy strengthens business and commercial offerings
African Bank Holdings Limited (ABHL) has reported robust interim results for the six months ending 31 March 2025, with Group net profit after tax climbing 15% year-on-year to R202m. These results underscore the momentum of its Excelerate strategy, as the Group accelerates its evolution into a diversified, full-service bank catering to both personal and business clients. Chief executive officer Kennedy Bungane said the Group's performance affirms the strategic choices made in recent years and underscores a return to African Bank's original mission of financial inclusion. 'These results are more than a financial milestone, they mark a reaffirmation of purpose,' said Bungane. 'They show that our customer-first, innovation-led approach is reaching South Africans where it matters most. Whether it's a township entrepreneur accessing capital or a family investing in solar power, African Bank is delivering impact.' Net advances grew 20% to R39.1bn, with a strong 49% surge in Business and Commercial advances. The Bank also reported a solid 6% increase in its customer base to 6.1 million, driven by growth in both its Personal Banking and Alliance Banking platforms. 'Our shift toward a broader product mix, particularly into secured lending, is building resilience into our business while unlocking new revenue streams,' added Bungane. 'As we celebrate 50 years since our founding, we are actively shaping a future where more South Africans have access to the capital, tools and services they need to thrive.' Diversification drives growth African Bank's diversification drive includes the successful acquisition of Sasfin's capital equipment finance business, which follows last year's acquisition of its commercial property finance division. These additions strengthen the Bank's Business and Commercial proposition and expand its footprint in the SMME sector. The Group continues to maintain a healthy funding base, which grew by 8% to R36.3bn. Customer deposits remain the primary source of funding, comprising 91% of the total. The Group's total capital adequacy ratio stands at 28%, well above regulatory minimums. Non-interest income grew by 39% to R909m, driven by increased uptake of the Bank's digital offerings, including the MyWorld transactional account and credit-card services – demonstrating increasing trust in the Bank and its services. Credit impairment charges declined by 10%, bringing the credit loss ratio down to 5.3%, thanks to strengthened risk management and a shift towards secured lending. Chief financial officer Anbann Chetti said the results validate the Group's strategy and operational focus: 'Our Excelerate strategy is not only delivering earnings growth but also reshaping the fundamentals of our business. We are building a scalable, diversified, and future-ready financial institution that is creating real value for shareholders, employees and society.' As part of its Pre-IPO roadmap, African Bank launched its employee share ownership scheme, iKamva Lethu, allocating 10% of the bank's shares to staff. Additional broad-based empowerment initiatives, including a retail BEE offering and a management scheme, are under development. Looking ahead, African Bank will expand its secured lending offerings, launch a digital SMME lending platform, and invest further in digital infrastructure, compliance, and cybersecurity. Bungane concluded: 'This journey is about building a bank that belongs to South Africans, one that serves with integrity and purpose. As we prepare for a future listing, we remain guided by our founders' bold vision and the needs of the communities we serve.'
Zawya
23-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Why Budget 3.0 isn't the boon for small businesses South Africa needs?
While South Africa's revised 2025 Budget brought political stability and fiscal consistency, it missed a crucial opportunity to drive inclusive economic transformation through bold support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). That's the view of Shawn Theunissen, founder of Entrepreneurship To The Point (eTTP) and Property Point, two of the country's well-known small business development organisations. 'Budget 3.0 offers fiscal discipline, but not bold economic inclusion,' said Theunissen. 'Small businesses remain on the sidelines, waiting for support to reach them. The continued absence of direct, scalable SME-focused policies risks deepening inequality, slowing recovery, and failing to unlock entrepreneurial potential.' While the abandonment of the VAT hike is welcomed, the Budget introduced no new tax relief, grants, or enterprise funding mechanisms specifically targeting SMEs. At the same time, a fuel levy increase will raise input and logistics costs, particularly for township, rural, and informal businesses, without any corresponding support. Promises without delivery 'This was an opportunity to fast-track real SME recovery through targeted tax breaks, working capital relief, and formalised access to state-backed funding. Instead, we saw continuity with little urgency,' Theunissen said. The revised GDP growth forecast of just 1.4% for 2025 reflects a subdued economic outlook, which offers little stimulus to small enterprises. Despite years of commitments, no new mechanisms were introduced to address persistent credit and working capital gaps, and previously announced SME funding remains largely undisbursed. 'It's not just about what's missing in the new budget, it's also about what hasn't been delivered from the last three,' said Theunissen. 'Funding delays, unclear disbursement channels, and inaccessible application processes continue to undermine the government's promises.' Despite growing calls for inclusion, Budget 3.0 introduces no focused measures to support women- or youth-led enterprises, both of which are disproportionately excluded from procurement, finance, and formal supply chains. 'Budget 3.0 failed to introduce or revitalise entrepreneurship training, innovation incentives, or enterprise support, especially for youth and women. This oversight is short-sighted, as these sectors offer high impact for job creation and inclusive economic growth,' he said. SMEs drive growth He pointed out that SMEs account for 98.5% of all formal businesses in South Africa, provide over 60% of private-sector employment and contribute more than a third of the country's GDP. 'Undermining SMEs is not a technical adjustment—it's an economic risk,' Theunissen noted. 'We talk about resilience, but we're not equipping entrepreneurs to survive.' Theunissen acknowledged several promising developments, including: - The cancellation of the proposed VAT increase. - A renewed R1tn commitment to infrastructure and digital investment. - Reforms in local government procurement and service delivery. - Enhanced Sars enforcement, which could reduce illicit competition. However, these long-term commitments lack clarity on implementation, timelines, and inclusion of SMEs as direct beneficiaries. 'We've seen bold announcements before. Without delivery, they don't reach the businesses that matter most, especially in underserved communities,' said Theunissen. From relief to reform He said to shift from symbolic relief to systemic change. He called for an urgent pro-SME fiscal strategy, including: - Targeted tax relief for small businesses on essential inputs: With rising input costs and shrinking margins, SMEs urgently need targeted tax relief on basic goods and services to remain viable in low-growth conditions. - Fast-tracked disbursement of existing SME funding commitments: Billions committed to SME support remain undisbursed; this budget should have prioritised fast-tracking delivery to entrepreneurs who can't wait another year. - Legal enforcement of the 30-day payment rule in public procurement: Late payments from the government remain a chronic problem; legally enforcing a 30-day payment rule is essential to protect SME cash flow and survival. - Clear SME inclusion in Operation Vulindlela and structural reforms: Without transparent SME procurement targets and timelines in Operation Vulindlela, reform efforts will bypass entrepreneurs. - Dedicated enterprise development for women and youth entrepreneurs: The absence of tailored programmes for women and youth-led enterprises is a missed opportunity to tackle unemployment where it hits hardest. - Incentivised formalisation of the informal economy through tax credits and simplified registration: Formalisation must be driven by incentives, not penalties, giving informal entrepreneurs tax breaks and easy registration pathways to enter the mainstream economy.' 'This is not just about budgets – it's about credibility,' Theunissen said. 'If SMEs are the future of work and wealth in South Africa, then we need a budget that treats them as central to recovery, not peripheral to macroeconomic stability.' All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
