Cape Times 2023-12-22

MORE than 25 600 cases of domestic violence were recorded at police stations visited by the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service over a six-month period ending in March 2023. This is according to a report by the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service, which is mandated to monitor and evaluate SAPS compliance with the Domestic Violence Act, tabled in Parliament. In the report, covering the period between October 2022 and March 2023, the secretariat detailed its findings for stations across the country to assess compliance and implementation of the Domestic Violence Act at a station level, with a focus on the top 30 police stations for GBV-related crimes. The visits covered a greater number of stations in Gauteng, while the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape covered fewer. The report notes…

TO MAKE Christmas special for a mother – who nearly lost her life last month, allegedly at the hands of her estranged husband – and her children, non-profit organisation Hope for the Future has called on the public to help make a difference by assisting with donations, be it, food, clothes or monetary. The 40-year-old woman, a domestic worker from Heideveld, had been separated from her husband for two years. However, she said the abuse continued daily. “He would knock on the doors loudly at all hours, hit the windows, broke them, shout and swear at me in the block of flats, humiliating me even though I am the mother of our child. “On Tuesday morning, I was at the shop, getting porridge for my son. Then he attacked…

The Socio Economic Rights Institute South Africa (Seri) has welcomed the recusal of advocate Thulani Makhubela as the commissioner of the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry into the Usindiso building fire tragedy. On Wednesday, the chairperson of the commission, retired Justice Sisi Khampepe, recused Makhubela from the commission due to complaints about some of his tweets, which have been deemed xenophobic. Makhubela’s recusal follows an application by concerned residents and civil society organisations. They said Makhubela was not fit to be investigating the matter because of his alleged bias against foreigners, and his association and support for Operation Dudula. Seri executive director Nomzamo Zondo welcomed the decision after Seri and the Inner City Federation lodged an application on October 28, requesting Makhubela’s recusal. “The basis for this application was a…

WHILE the Simon’s Town wildfire has not claimed any human life or destroyed homes, it has left a trail of destruction for animal wildlife. Firefighter efforts entered the third day yesterday with flare ups reported and more than 400 hectares of veld burned. A single derelict building was damaged on the grounds of the SA Navy and five firefighters were injured. Authorities conducted precautionary evacuations on Tuesday and early Wednesday morning but residents had returned back to their homes by yesterday. City Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said five aerial support craft were activated as of first light, including the Black Hawk that can fly in very high winds. In a further update yesterday afternoon Carelse said three aerial support craft were still busy with active water…

THE V&A Waterfront is appealing a City decision that could prevent the popular destination from ushering in the New Year with a fireworks display. Animal welfare organisations have been voicing their concern about the negative impact of fireworks on the welfare of animals in the area, including seabird species and the protected Cape Fur seals. V&A Waterfront spokesperson Donald Kau said they had received all necessary permits from the City and police. “The City has subsequently withdrawn the Noise Exemption permit, without which the V&A Waterfront cannot proceed with the fireworks. We are currently in correspondence with the City to understand this withdrawal. We can also confirm that we have received a letter from attorneys representing the Animal Welfare Society. We cannot comment on the Animal Welfare Society’s rights to…

Electricity minister promises brighter festive season, but real test remains the new year ELECTRICITY Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is confident that there will be no load shedding in the next two weeks as South Africans enjoy the festive season. Ramokgopa was speaking yesterday during a briefing on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan (EAP). He said the outlook in the short term between now and the next two weeks looked upbeat. “I am confident that we will have a festive season with the lights on, not the candle … we will have the proper lights to make sure we usher in 2024.” However, the minister conceded that the true test would come when the big industries, which have closed for the year-end break, come back online in January. “It’s about…