On July 24, 2023, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni played a vital role in the Friends of BRICS National Security Advisors Meeting. The event took place in Sandton, where Ntshavheni warmly welcomed her BRICS Security counterparts. ## Friends of BRICS Countries in Attendance
Illegal dumping has become a significant issue across various public open spaces, causing harm to the environment and threatening the health and safety of nearby communities. Law enforcement departments are now taking action to combat this pressing problem. ## An Alarming Surge in Incidents
The death of a police officer is a tragedy that shakes the core of a community. On July 4th, 2023, Sergeant Wiseman Sihle Masuku was fatally shot in the village of Bedlane in Melmoth. Three men between the ages of 18 and 30 have been arrested and charged with his murder. They are set to appear in the Melmoth Magistrates’ Court on July 19th, 2023.
On July 26, 2023, Acting Premier Patrick Dumile Nono Maloyi launched the Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme in the North West Province. The initiative aims to tackle service delivery challenges in the region by involving local communities in the decisionmaking process and fostering collaboration and constant feedback.
Illegal mining has become a pervasive issue, causing environmental degradation, loss of revenue for governments, and adverse effects on local communities. South Africa, with its rich mineral deposits, is particularly susceptible to unauthorized excavation operations. In Limpopo, the Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team, National Unrest Deployment, and Bokoni Protection Service recently collaborated to arrest two suspects, aged 19 and 28, in the area of Zeekoegart (Atok). The operation also led to the confiscation of essential equipment used in illegal mining.
With World Drowning Prevention Day fast approaching, the City of Cape Town is committed to raising public awareness and emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts to prevent drowning incidents in and around water bodies. The Recreation and Parks Department is leading the charge with yearround drowning prevention awareness programs, spearheaded by Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) recently executed a successful intelligencedriven operation in the Western Cape that led to the arrest of two foreign nationals and the confiscation of drugs worth approximately R4.5 million. The individuals are now facing charges of dealing in drugs.
Cape Town has witnessed an important event this past weekend as the Junior City Council (JCC) elected new Executive Committee Members for the 2023 term. This article will cover the JCC’s role in the community, the electoral process, and the newly elected Executive Committee.
The Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has issued a stern warning to residents against engaging in vigilantism. The Committee’s call comes in response to the incident in which five men were set on fire by the community of Setjwetla Section in Alexandra for allegedly possessing illegal firearms and harassing residents. In the wake of this incident, the Committee has urged residents to trust and cooperate with law enforcement agencies instead of taking the law into their own hands.
South Africa’s democracy celebrated a momentous occasion when President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill into law. The event recognized South African Sign Language as the nation’s 12th official language, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of the rights and social inclusion of the deaf community.
In any city, the public transport system plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and efficient movement of people to various destinations. However, recent reports show that the impoundment of public transport vehicles has significantly increased, indicating a concerning trend of reckless behavior among operators.
Cape Town is wellknown for its picturesque beaches and the iconic Table Mountain. However, beneath the surface lies an ongoing battle against unusual sewer blockages. Over the past year, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate spent nearly R417 million addressing this issue. The culprits of these blockages are not the average waste materials one might expect. Tyres, rags, clothes, kitchen cutlery, TVs, and even car parts have been extracted from the city’s sewer pipes.
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has successfully replaced 55,163 meters of sewer pipes and 50,170 meters of water pipes across the city in the period from July 2022 to June 2023. This impressive project cost R307.6 million for the sewer pipes and R140.4 million for the water pipes. The city’s annual water and sewer pipe replacement programs and individual capital projects demonstrate their ongoing commitment to improving infrastructure throughout the city.
The City’s Environmental Management Department is committed to bridging the gap between city life and nature through the [Experiential Education Garden](https://capetown.today/floridagatorsandradyouthcentrecollaboratetocreateselfsustainingvegetablegarden) (EEG) at Green Point Park. In December 2020, the EEG project began, spearheaded by the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews. The project’s success has paved the way for the construction of the domeshaped classroom.
The South African government is taking action to address the delays and obstacles encountered in several construction and infrastructure projects in Limpopo Province. Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, recently met with the MEC for Transport and Community Safety in Limpopo, Florence Radzilani, to lay out specific timelines and execution plans for the completion of these projects.
The City of Cape Town’s Library and Information Services welcomed 20 emerging leaders to the world of library leadership in honor of South African Librarians Day. These individuals participated in the Strengthening Innovative Library Leaders (SILL) training program, designed to empower library professionals to make a difference in their communities.
