As the festive season of 2024 approaches, keeping our neighborhoods clean is more important than ever. Residents can help by putting their bins out by 9 PM and reporting any delays if bins aren’t picked up within 48 hours. Larger waste items can be taken to special dropoff centers, and joining community cleanup events can help prevent illegal dumping. With teamwork and a little planning, we can all make sure our city stays beautiful during the holidays!
In the quiet town of Saldanha Bay, a heartbreaking story unfolded when young Joshlin Smith vanished on February 19th. Her troubled family life, marked by her mother’s struggles with addiction, raised urgent questions about her safety. Natasha Andrews, who hoped to adopt Joshlin, shared her love and care for the girl, contrasting sharply with the chaos of Joshlin’s home. As the trial continues, it highlights not only the desperate need for better child protection but also the community’s role in ensuring that all children are safe and loved. This tale of loss and hope calls for everyone to step up and fight for vulnerable lives like Joshlin’s.
There has been a significant decrease in confiscated alcohol bottles in public spaces in Cape Town, with a 20% decline recorded between October 2023 and January 2024 compared to the previous year. While the seizure rate is still high, the decrease suggests a shift towards a more responsible attitude towards drinking in public, with some choosing to celebrate in inflatable pools at home. The City’s laws prohibit drinking alcohol in public areas, and fines apply. The 20% reduction represents progress in increasing community responsibility.
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature has launched a crimefighting initiative to reduce crime in Gauteng. The industry is led by the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesfufi, and the MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko. The newly launched crimefighting unit plans to deploy 6,000 Crime Prevention Wardens in townships, informal settlements, and hostels to protect residents and fight crime.
Genderbased violence (GBV) is a severe issue in South Africa, where domestic violence affects one in four women. The role of media in promoting respect, equality, and nonviolence is crucial to address this issue. However, recent events have highlighted the need for media houses to act responsibly in their portrayal of GBV.
The Easter weekend is a time of heightened activity and vigilance for law enforcement services in Cape Town. This year, the City’s law enforcement officers made 361 arrests, up from 332 in 2022, and issued 72,465 fines for various offences. The increase in arrests weekonweek, but also compared to the week of Easter last year, speaks to the efforts of staff when many of us were enjoying some downtime.
