Author: Gomolemo Mothomogolo

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has suspended classes on Friday and more information regarding next week’s academics will be released over the weekend, the university said.. TUT students have been protesting since Monday demanding that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) scrap its current system used for the distribution of funds by using a system that Nesfas referred to as “Direct Payment Solution”. The students have rejected the system saying it is very expensive and that it often delays payments needed for food and accommodation. TUT spokesperson Phaphama Tshisikhawe said academic activities are suspended on Friday only. “The University…

City of Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink says crime intelligence needs to be roped in to fight cable theft as the municipality loses an estimated R100 million annually to replace cable lost to theft. Earlier this week, there was cable theft at Nyala Substation causing power outages in large parts of Pretoria East. The City announced on Thursday that power is back after it completed restoring the substation. Brink said the metro can’t fight the battle alone and crime intelligence must be roped in to deal with “sophisticated” crime. “There is a combination of private security companies and their own security.…

The UIF has paid about R21.8 million to 165 businesses that were affected by the July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu Natal and in Gauteng. The money benefitted more than 6 000 workers who lost their jobs temporarily or permanently after the unrest which resulted in many businesses torched by angry mobs. The riots were sparked by the arrests of former President Jacob Zuma after he refused to appear before the Zondo Commission and was charged with contempt of the court and sentenced to two years in prison. UIF spokesperson Trevor Hattingh said when the unrests occurred, the UIF stepped in…

In a tribute to the late veteran communicator Ronnie Mamoepa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile described him as one of the best in government communications. The Ronnie Mamoepa Foundation was launched on Wednesday at Freedom Park in Pretoria by the Mamoepa family. Among other struggle stalwarts, Mamoepa’s name is engraved on a wall at Freedom Park. Mashatile said Mamoepa contributed immensely to government communications and he was one of the best in the game. “He was part of a group of people who helped build the ANC in Gauteng, and because of his skills and capacity to communicate effectively, he was able…

The ANC Women’s League National Task Team (NTT) has postponed its conference yet again saying it needs to sort pre-registration issues in the provinces. The conference was scheduled to take place on 17-19 of June but was postponed to 14-16 July. The elective conference has once more been postponed for a week from 21 July to 23 July. In a statement, the ANCWL NTT said it was not satisfied with the registration process in all provinces and needs to sort out some issues before it proceeds with the conference. “Our assessment however is that there is still room for improvement…

City of Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink blames Rand Water for water interruptions and outages in most parts of the city including at the Olievenhoutbosch and Lotus Gardens clinics. The municipality has been experiencing water outages in most parts of the city with services interrupted at clinics in Olievenhoutbosch and Lotus Gardens. Brink has requested Rand Water to supply information of its water level on the system and raised concerns that the water cuts are recurring on a monthly basis. “After a week of Rand Water outages in the City of Tshwane things are slowly starting to recover and I want to use…

The case against the man accused of the murder of TUT student Ntokozo Xaba has been postponed to 21 July. Ngcebo Thusi was supposed to appear at Pretoria Magistrates Court on Thursday but the case was postponed because there was no electricity. Earlier this year, the case was postponed when the recording machine was not working. At the time, State prosecutor Mashudu Nembulunge confirmed that the recording machine was not working. “Initially the matter was sat down for today for an opposed formal bail application. At this stage I am informed by the clerks that the machines are not working,…

The family of an Atteridgeville man who allegedly died at an initiation and was then dumped in the Hennops River last week have confirmed the identity of the 42-year-old Bernette Maphaha. Maphaha was lured to the circumcision school on 17 June. Maphaha’s cousin Mpho said the family was assisted by community members to ensure the suspects were apprehended and handed over to police however, the police detained the suspects for questioning and allegedly allowed them to leave without being charged.  “The police didn’t handle this case properly. The community members assisted us to apprehend the people who were working at…

The City of Tshwane Health Department confirmed that services at Olievenhoutbosch and Lotus Gardens clinics are being disrupted because of water shortages. The MMC responsible for Health, Rina Marx said in a statement on Wednesday said the department has noted with concern recent Rand Water supply challenges affecting Tshwane adding that if the shortages are prolonged, the impact of primary healthcare services would be dire. “On 3 July 2023, the City of Tshwane Health Department had to close Olievenhoutbosch Clinic due to water shortages. After the water supply was restored, the clinic reopened on the morning of 4 July 2023.…

City of Tshwane Executive Mayor Cilliers Brink has accused Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi of ‘blatantly’ ignoring requests to top up its ex gratia payment of R30 000 to the 28 Hammanskraal families who have lost their loved ones to the recent cholera outbreak. However, in dismissing Brink’s assertions that the Premier ignored requests to help the families of the cholera victims, Lesufi’s spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla said the Province “responded comprehensively” to the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal. “Many provincial departments have offered and continue to support the affected families and the people of Hammanskraal. The provincial administration has widely communicated these interventions. The…