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Ramaphosa booed out of Katlehong because the ANC can’t keep the lights on

Angry residents of Katlehong, Ekurhuleni have booed and chased President Cyril Ramaphosa away in anger over the power outages that they suffer on a daily basis. This comes after Ramaphosa was booed out of Soweto over the Registration Weekend.

Ramaphosa, who was in Katlehong to launch a new vaccination site, was booed and chased away by angry residents at the end of the vaccination event who wanted him to address the rolling power outages in the area – some which last for up to five months.

Thereafter, while addressing a crowd, more residents expressed their anger at ANC delivery failures, demanding answers from President Ramaphosa.

Yesterday I was in Katlehong and was greeted warmly by residents who have had enough of the incompetence of Ekurhuleni’s ANC-led government. Residents told me how difficult their lives and livelihoods have become due to the municipality’s incompetence.

Some of the houses that I visited had paid electricity and had electricity appliances like stoves, washing machine, TV, microwave and fridge in their houses but are now reduced cooking with a prima stove.

Ekurhuleni experiences well over 1000 power outages daily. Areas like Katlehong experience lengthy outages with no feedback from the municipality as to when their power will be restored.

However, this is not unique to Katlehong.

Residents in every single area I have visited in Ekurhuleni have bemoaned the lack of reliable electricity provided by the municipality.

The ANC is failing the people of Ekurhuleni, where electricity and water issues are making life intolerable.

The DA has a very simple plan to turn around the energy crisis in Ekurhuleni.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) recommended that the municipality employ 1500 people in the energy department. Currently, there are 1100 funded positions, however, there are 229 funded vacant positions in the department.

We will make it a priority that these are filled with immediate effect. We will make sure the stores of the energy department are audited, and that effective stock control is implemented.

Lastly, but most importantly, we make sure that we pass a motion in council to enact the Promulgated Act 10 which will allow independent power producers to feedback into the grid to free the municipality of Eskom.

Residents have suffered for far too long at the hands of those in black, green and gold.

Come 1 November, the people of Ekurhuleni can elect a DA government that will keep the lights on and gets things done.

In this election, the ANC can be voted out. Beyond booing Ramaphosa, it is time to vote out his party at the ballot box.

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Only one case of illegal electricity connections opened in Kathorus in four years

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is shocked to learn that only one case has been opened with regards to illegal electricity connections in Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus (Kathorus) since the 2016/17 financial year to date.

This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

According to MEC Mazibuko, only one case has been opened in relation to illegal electricity connections with the main charge of tampering with, damaging and destroying essential infrastructure in Thokoza on 17 September 2020.

This case resulted in one arrest, yet it was provisionally withdrawn in court pending additional evidence which needed to be submitted. The court case was due for the 21 October 2020.

It is worrying that there are numerous illegal connections in Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus yet only one case has been opened since the 2016/2017 financial year to date.

These areas consist of a number of informal settlements and old townships that are connecting electricity illegally which has resulted in our current electricity crisis.

The fact that only one arrest has been made with regards to illegal electricity connections in these areas in four years clearly indicates that the police and Eskom are failing to curb illegal electricity connections in these areas.

Kathorus residents have been experiencing power outages which have left thousands of residents without electricity.

The DA believes that it is the responsibility of the Eskom to ensure the stoppage of illegal electricity connections with the help of the police in arresting the perpetrators and gathering adequate evidence to ensure that the case results in prosecutions.

The illegal electricity connections pose a great risk as it overloads the system which often causes power connections to trip or fail and are hazardous and can cause electrocution.

We call on MEC Mazibuko to ensure that the police stop illegal electricity connections in Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus by arresting the perpetrators and ensuring that there is enough evidence for prosecution. We also urge the residents to report illegal electricity connections.

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DA strongly condemns the shooting and killing of a learner in Katlehong

The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemns in the strongest terms the alleged shooting of a grade 6 learner.

This shocking incident occurred yesterday. It is alleged that there was a shooting outside Izibuko Primary School and a grade 6 learner was shot and killed during the incident.

The DA extends its sincere condolences to the family of the victim, learners and teachers at this school.

We call on the Gauteng Department of Education to engage with law enforcement agencies to ensure that our schools and surrounding areas are safe spaces.

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Our Children Deserve To Be Protected From Gang Violence

OR Tambo Secondary School

I extend my most sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the families of those who were tragically killed in a shootout in front of OR Tambo Secondary School in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, yesterday.

Gang violence has no place in our society. That is why I commit to a safer Ekurhuleni, under a DA government after this year’s election.

The community of Katlehong cannot live in constant fear of their lives, and this tragedy stirs me to action.

Anti-gang Unit

Gang crime can be stopped with a committed anti-gang unit in the Metro Police. With technology that monitors gang activity, we can make out streets safer a place.

The loss of young lives is a tragedy for us, and our Metro should play a more active role in rooting out gangs, criminals and drugs.

 

Media enquiries:

Tanya Heydenrych

Senior Media Officer

073 701 6729

[Image source]

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ANC And SAPS Block DA Campaigning In Ekurhuleni

Katlehong Precint SAPS

The DA will today complain to Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Deliwe Susan De Lange, requesting an urgent investigation as to why the DA was barred by members of the Katlehong Precint SAPS from hosting a public meeting outside Tamaho Clinic in Katlehong today.

Members of the ANC also blocked our campaigning today, for which we will report the ANC to the IEC. Today, on a day when all political parties met at Gallagher Estate to pledge for free and fair elections, it is preposterous that the ANC has already breached this pledge – the ANC cannot be trusted to campaign fairly, it appears.

As Ekurhuleni residents know, service delivery is worsening under the ANC, and last week StatsSA revealed that Ekurhuleni is the capital of job-losses in South Africa under Mayor Gungubele with 110,000 more people in our city now joining the unemployed ranks since January 2016. 110,000 more people jobless is a crisis, brought by the ANC.

DA Campaigning

Now the ANC fears for its chances in this election, and has turned to unlawful and unfair methods to stop the DA campaigning where our support continues to grow.

The DA will not be deterred from campaigning anywhere during these elections.

Change is coming to Ekurhuleni, and the DA will not be stopped from sharing our message of change that creates jobs, stop corruption and deliver better services to all the city’s residents.

Photos can be seen here.

 

Media enquiries:

Tanya Heydenrych

Senior Media Officer: DA Gauteng Province

073 701679

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Justice Delayed For Family Of Murdered 18 Year Old Katleho Kele

The DA has written to the Gauteng Community Safety MEC, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, after the disappearance of evidence in the murder case of Katleho Kele from Ekurhuleni.

Katleho Kele was allegedly murdered by an ANC ward councillor’s grandson in the Katlehong area. A case was opened in 2014 and dismissed in court a year later.

The alleged suspect was released on bail, but soon after, primary evidence as well as information of the case docket disappeared.

It is unfortunate that the story of the late Katleho Kele, whose family continues to search for the truth, is not unique in Gauteng.

I have asked the MEC to provide more information on the case, to hold those involved accountable and to ensure that the family receive the justice and closure that they deserve.

 

Media enquiries:

Lebo More MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Katlehong

072 273 4487

[Image source]

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Kwanele Primary School: Gauteng Education MEC Must Prioritise Learning Conditions

Note to editors: This press statement follows an oversight visit conducted today by the DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL and the DA Katlehong Constituency Head, Lebo More MPL, at Kwanele Primary School.

Kwanele Primary School

Teaching and learning conditions at Kwanele Primary School in Katlehong are indicative of the poor state of schooling in Gauteng with learners attending class in a bus, some sharing chairs and with up to a 100 learners in one classroom.

Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi must get the basics right.

Learners attending township schools continue to be disadvantaged due to poor management and leadership at a district level.

It is unfair to subject teachers and learners to these poor conditions.

[Click here to view images of the conditions faced at Kwanele Primary School].

Poor Working Conditions

Teachers are working in poor conditions under severe pressure, yet are expected to ensure learners perform optimally.

MEC Lesufi is failing to provide a conducive learning and teaching environment.

Kwanele Primary School needs about eight classrooms to reduce the overcrowding.

The DA has written to MEC Lesufi to urgently provide more classrooms and furniture to the school as well as to address the myriad of challenges faced by the school management.

We cannot allow the deteriorating situation at our schools in Gauteng to worsen.

 

Media Enquiries:

Khume Ramulifho, MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of Education

082 398 7375

 

Lebo More, MPL

DA Constituency Head: Katlehong

073 143 7508

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Strong Partnerships Needed to Secure Gauteng Schools

Paperless Classrooms in Gauteng

Today, myself and DA Constituency Head Lebo More MPL, visited KwaDukathole Comprehensive School in Katlehong.

The school was targeted just last week by criminals intent on stealing newly installed equipment which formed part of the roll-out of paperless classrooms in Gauteng. This is not the only school which has been targeted since the launch of this initiative.

In this particular instance, the criminals made off with two computers and attempted to steal several tablets. However, a school in Soweto was robbed of at least R410 000 worth of new equipment and the guards on duty severely assaulted over the weekend.

Sustainable Technology Programmes

This spike in school robberies aimed at theft of innovative learning and teaching equipment is concerning and disadvantages already under-privileged learners even further.

The DA supports the introduction of technology in our schools; however, the programme must be sustainable.

Security is obviously becoming a major challenge and as with other similar projects in Gauteng, such as the R3 billion Gauteng On Line project, crime can completely undermine the success of these ventures.

Proactive Intervention Needed

The DA has raised this concern with Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi and has urged the Department to forge strong relationships with law enforcement agencies.

It is only through gathering intelligence, breaking syndicates and more visible policing that we will be able to fight crime and protect the future of our learners.

More proactive intervention is needed to ensure that our schools are places of safety. Only strong partnerships between school leadership, education officials, law enforcement and the community will achieve this.

 

Media Enquiries:

Khume Ramulifho MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education
082 398 737

[Image source]

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DA to Conduct Oversight on Katlehong Paperless Classroom

Tomorrow, 29 July 2015, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL, and DA Gauteng Constituency Head for Katlehong, Lebo More MPL, will conduct an oversight visit at the KwaDukathole Comprehensive School in Katlehong, to assess the roll-out of the paperless classroom at the school.

Date: 29 July 2015

Time: 09:00

Venue: KwaDukathole Comprehensive School, No 6 Mofokeng Section, Katlehong.

There will be opportunities for interviews and photographs. Members of the media are welcome to attend

 

Media enquiries:

Khume Ramulifho MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education

082 398 7375

 

Lebo More MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head for Kathlehong

072 273 4487

[Image source]