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Gauteng SAPS must take immediate action against individuals or groups set on blocking the movement of law-abiding South Africans

Gauteng residents face further potential economic hardship if threats to continue with a provincial wide shutdown materialises. Ordinary Gauteng residents are dependent on transport all over the province to access economic opportunities, and anything hampering their free flow can cause them to lose income and jobs.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the province to take immediate action against any individuals or groups who attempt to shutdown parts of Gauteng, including blocking of roads and forcibly preventing any businesses from operating. Absolutely no one has the right to hamper or prevent the movement of any other individual from going about their daily lives and minding their own business.

Several serious threats from those who identify as supporters of Jacob Zuma have emerged across social media in the last 24 hours, calling on other supporters of the former President to take the criminal protest action currently underway in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to many parts of Gauteng. There have already been attempts by individuals to block the movement of vehicles on the East Rand this morning.

One particular voice note that is spreading across social media, calls on protestors to cause riots, chaos and shutdowns in ‘strategic places where white supremacists live’. Organisers of these criminal events are rallying supporters with highly inflammatory racial rhetoric to lend credibility to the theory that Jacob Zuma is being unfairly prosecuted and imprisoned. These actions totally violate the spirit of the Constitution and compromise the harmony of a multi-racial society.

The hard lockdowns of the past year have caused profound damage for businesses and South Africans who have lost their jobs. Shutdowns by so-called ‘radical forces’ will not be tolerated and should not be allowed to hamper any movement of the economy that is allowed under level 4 lockdown.

Decisive action must be taken by Minister of Police Bheki Cele, and MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko to ensure Gauteng does not become a repeat of the absolute hypocrisy of government in KZN, where several lockdown restrictions have been broken with impunity, while law-abiding South Africans continue to get unfairly punished by losing their jobs and businesses because of the latest lockdown.

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East Rand Hospital Packed With Patients

Thelle Mogoerane Hospital

The Thelle Mogoerane Hospital in Vosloorus (formerly the New Natalspruit Hospital) is experiencing very high numbers of patients who have filled all the beds in most departments.

This is putting great strain on both staff and patients.

Relatives are also distressed by a broken switchboard so they can’t get through to the hospital to ask how patients are doing.

It appears that the onset of cold weather has led to a dramatic increase in sick patients, many of whom are from neighbouring provinces.

The Gauteng Health Department needs to step in urgently with extra resources to help this embattled hospital, and some patients may need to be transferred to other hospitals.

 

Media enquiries:

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health

082 333 4222

[Image source]

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Illegal Mining Crisis: Gauteng MEC Sits On Her Hands

Illegal mining in Gauteng has reached an all-time high. Crime statistics on organised syndicates which operate in South Africa from Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe show an upward and alarming trend.

This was heard last week at a briefing from the Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Lesetja Mothiba, who further cited that the National Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) should enforce current legislation.

The Provincial Commissioner also explained that many special operations have taken place but the impact of illegal mining had been catastrophic for Gauteng.

MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, must get off her hands and start by working together with DMR to ensure the safety of communities in and around mining areas.

In the East Rand rival gangs of illegal miners are in state of open warfare, and are a severe threat to innocent law abiding citizens. Law enforcement agencies are unable to bring the situation under control.

In order to tackle this major problem the DA has tabled a motion for debate at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on 27 October.

The impact of illegal mining on the safety of Gauteng’s residents could be disastrous and the MEC must go to every length possible to safeguard our communities and prosecute transgressors to the full extent of the law.

 

Media enquiries:

Michele Clarke MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Community Safety

060 558 8299

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East Rand vigilantism: DA calls for meeting with SAPS

Over the past few days there have been a spate of vigilante killings in Etwatwa in the Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality.

Media reports reveal that three young people have been killed by community members since the beginning of the week.

On Sunday, a teenager, who was allegedly a member of the One Vision Lover (OVL) gang, was attacked and burnt to death by community members.

This violence escalated on Tuesday evening when a group severely assaulted and set alight 16-year old twin brothers Sabelo and Samekelo Maisela, who were also suspected of being members of the OVL gang.

Etwatwa residents claim the OVL gang have been terrorising them for months and are behind a spate of robberies, assaults and murders in the area. They claim that when gang members are arrested by the police they are soon freed and continue to harass residents.

This is why the community have decided to take the law into their own hands.

While the DA understands the frustration of the Etwatwa community, no matter what the circumstances or allegations, we cannot have communities taking the law into their own hands.

Vigilantism is a crime

Vigilantism is a crime and it cannot be tolerated by law enforcement agencies. Anyone involved in any incident of vigilante killings becomes a criminal themselves.

While the Etwatwa police have arrested four people in relation to the Sunday’s attack, it is clear that their response to this situation has largely been reactive to date.

It is critical that the Etwatwa SAPS implements a proactive plan

It is critical that the Etwatwa SAPS implements a proactive plan that focuses on preventing further vigilante attacks in the area.

This action plan must involve a number of interventions including:

  • Ensuring that perpetrators behind the recent robberies, assaults and murders in the area are arrested and convicted of their crimes; and
  • Engagement with local community organisations, churches, school principals and CPFs which is aimed at preventing further vigilante attacks

I will therefore be requesting a meeting with the SAPs management at Etwatwa police station to discuss the development of a proactive action plan, which can be rolled out in the area.

The DA will also continue to call on the national SAPS leadership to reintroduce specialised gang units. The best way to make the people of Etwatwa safe from gangs is through targeted, sustained and specialised interventions like these units.

All South Africans have a constitutional right to live in a safe environment where the rule of law is upheld at all times.

It is therefore critical that the Etwatwa SAPS ensures the safety of all residents in the area and takes action against anyone guilty of committing a crime.

Media enquiries:

Michele Clarke MPL

MPL for Etwatwa / Benoni

Spokesperson on community safety

060 558 8309

[Source Caption] 

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Tragic Death After Clinic Injection Needs Investigation

Nonhlanhla Nyembezi

The tragic death of 23-year-old Nonhlanhla Nyembezi after receiving an injection at the JD Dumane Clinic in Vosloorus in the East Rand needs to be investigated.

Nyembezi visited the clinic with flu-like symptoms and was given an injection, following which her condition deteriorated when she returned home.

She was rushed back to the clinic by ambulance on Sunday 12 July and later transferred to the New Natalspruit Hospital where she died the next day.

Need For Better Public Health Service

Her body lay in the mortuary for a week because the family insisted that a post-mortem be done, and this was only granted after pressure was applied, including my own efforts on their behalf.

The family suspect that she was given the wrong injection. Another possibility is that she had an allergic reaction which should have been picked up and treated far earlier.

The family has not been treated well in this matter and answers are needed why a young lady has died in these circumstances.

There are far too many complaints of this nature which highlights the general need for better treatment and communication in our public health service.

 

Media enquiries:

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health

082 333 4222

[Image source]

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Daveyton Hospital Delayed to 2019

Planned Daveyton HospitalJack Bloom DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health

The planned 300 bed Daveyton Hospital on the East Rand which was first approved in 2006 will only be completed in 2019.

This disappointing news was revealed yesterday by Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza at a sitting of the Gauteng Legislature.

Budget for Planning and Design

According to Mayathula-Khoza, there is budget for planning and design in 2015/16. Construction will start in 2016/17 and should be completed in three years.

I doubt that the Daveyton Hospital will be built by 2019 as the Infrastructure Development Department has a terrible track record in large building projects.

For instance, the new Natalspruit and Jabulani hospitals were both five years overdue and cost more than double the original budget.

There is a great need for a new hospital to serve the growing population in the Daveyton, Etwatwa and Benoni area, but chronic incompetence means that this will not happen soon.

Media enquiries:

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health

082 333 4222

 [Image source]

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Gauteng Premier Must Take a Stand Against Xenophobic Attacks

The DA calls on Gauteng Premier David Makhura and provincial ANC leaders to publicly stand up and condemn attacks on foreign residents in the country, before it spirals out of control.Solly Msimanga DA Gauteng Provincial Chairperson

Following days of xenophobic violence in KwaZulu-Natal, foreign business owners in the Johannesburg CBD yesterday fell victim to widespread and seemingly coordinated attacks.

According to local reports, attacks are currently under way in KwaThema, near Springs on the East Rand.

Coordinated Xenophobic Attacks

Of particular concern is the seemingly coordinated nature of the attacks and almost total lack of police intelligence to prevent it from occurring.

South Africa prides itself on a Constitution founded on a shared respect for the human rights of all persons, and it is up to each and every one of us to strongly condemn acts of violence against our fellow humans simply because of their origin.

While the cause of the xenophobic violence may have been fanned by remarks of certain senior leaders, Premier Makhura, his Cabinet and the provincial ANC as a collective must take a stand, and condemn xenophobia in the strongest terms.

South Africa Owes those Nations

Premier Makhura, many African nations opened their arms to the ANC during the struggle for a free and democratic South Africa.

Those nations trained, fed, clothed, sheltered and provided financial support to the liberation struggle at great peril to themselves – and South Africans today owe those nations and their people a great debt of gratitude.

It is the duty of every South African to stand up against xenophobia and build a South Africa where everyone feels safe and at home.

To this end, the DA calls on the Premier to liaise closely with the police and municipal law enforcement agencies and do everything possible together to prevent further looting and violence.

 

Media enquiries:

Solly Msimanga MPL

DA Gauteng Provincial Chairperson

060 558 8308

[Image source]