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Issue 1 - 2018

Tel : 011 024-8210 / 011 402 - 1977 Inner-City Gazette

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11 - 18 January 2018

Email : info@inner-city-gazette.co.za 23 February - 2 March 2017

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24 arrested in City crackdown on illegal connections

Picture: Moses Moyo MMC of Safety Cllr Michael Sun and City of Johanneburg Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba

By Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za ix people have been arrested for illegally reconnecting to City services, following their disconnection by the City, and failing to pay their owing municipal accounts. These persons are said to owe the City R3 332 361.34. They were apprehended during an operation led by various officials, including Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba, the MMC for Finance Dr Rabelani Dagada, the police and the anti-corruption unit, as well as Johannesburg Metro Police’s Department’s newly appointed Police Chief, Mr. David Tembe including officials from the Department of Home Affairs. “I took part in an operation to apprehend persons who illegally connected to City services and failed to follow our by-laws,” said Mayor Mashaba. “The Auditor General has reported that for

the 2016-17 financial year non-technical electricity losses amounted to over R1 billion and were due to theft, bypass of meters, illegal de-calibration of meters and damaged meters. “Citywide, over 2 000 businesses fail pay for electricity, amounting to just under R1 billion. Some of these account holders also illegally connect to our services. This is not something we can allow,” said a digruntled Mashaba. During the operation, another 18 persons were determined to be undocumented persons. These persons were detained and processed by the Department of Home Affairs. “We remain unwavering in our commitment to bring the rule of law back into the city. As a City, we will continue to run these operations to ensure that offenders face the full might of the law,” concluded Mashaba.

Inner-city Gazette

11-18 January 2018

Zimbabweans stranded as bank freezes accounts Why didn’t these uncaring banks make an announcement beforehand, asking our people to retrieve their savings beforehand? (sic) By Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za

ome 250 000 holders of the Zimbabwean Special Dispensation Permit (ZSP), who are among millions that have fled economic and political crises to the neighbouring South Africa, are in panic mode. The Department of Home Affairs recently extended the deadline for applications to the end of January. This will pave way for the issuing of the new Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP). As the expiry of the current permits ended on the 31st of December 2017, is is alleged that the freezing of accounts by South African banks pending the issuance of new permits was imminent. Hordes of Zimbabwean clients banking with ABSA, Capitec, First National Bank (FNB), Nedbank and Standard Bank confirmed receiving notifications to renew their permits lest their accounts were frozen. “I was warned to bring new documents before the December 31 expiry date. After receiving this message, I promptly rushed to the bank hall to verify. Officials plainly told me they would freeze it if no permit was received,” said Mlungisi Ndebele of Alexandra township north of Johannesburg. A Zimbabwean client with the same bank raised similar concerns. “Now that some of our accounts have been frozen, they have skinned us alive! I have kept all the money for my three-year savings with the intention to purchase a car and a house,” said a zimbabwean account holder, who declined to be named.

Advocate Gabriel Shumba, executive director of Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF), said freezing or suspension of ZSP permit holders’ accounts on December 31 is “highly regrettable.” “It is insensitive for banks to freeze accounts pending the adjudication process,” Shumba said. He said such would be “highly provocative” arguing the banks in question were usually too happy to entice these vulnerable group of the Zimbabwean populace. “To freeze the accounts seems to make the predetermination statement that those who have applied will not succeed. It is the customers’ money and they are entitled to fair practice. Why did these rogue and uncaring banks make an announcement beforehand, asking our people to retrieve their savings beforehand?,” Shumba asked. He called upon affected permit holders to contact ZEF. “Enough is enough. These exploitative practices go unchecked in respect of asylum seekers and refu-

Ngqabutho Mabhena, chairperson of Zimbabweans Living in South Africa, says it is commendable that the government wants employers and banks to work with holders of expired Zimbabwe Special Permits.

gees too. We need immediate government regulation of these and other malpractices,” Shumba, who is also Gauteng High Court Counsel, said. Ngqabutho Mabhena, Chairman of Zimbabweans Living in South

Tweets from digruntled clients

XXXX

Africa, said they had engaged the Department of Home Affairs, which he said pledged to engage the banks to redress the issue. “Initially, some banks sent out notices saying they will close down bank accounts on December 31 if their clients who are on special permits do not submit new permits,” Mabhena said. He advocated for banks to notify and give clients a grace period up to January 31 when applications for permits close. “We will continue to engage with the banks through the Department of Home Affairs,” Mabhena assured. Luke Dzipange Zunga, Chairman of the Zimbabwe Global Forum, said the organisation was aware some members had received “threatening notifications” from banks intending to suspend their accounts if their work or study permits were not renewed by December 31. He however, pointed out some ministerial changes as well as the suspension and reinstatement of Home Affairs Director-General, Mkhuseli, Apleni, had impacted on the status of the Zimbabwean permit holders.

There were two ministerial changes last year as Hlengiwe Mkhize replaced Malusi Gigaba in a cabinet reshuffle in March. Ayanda Dlodlo would later replace her in another reshuffle in October. Zunga added Apleni was in between the reshuffles suspended. “What is important to highlight these threats paused by the bank letters so that Department of Home Affairs quicken the process renewing the permits. The DG (director general), who was in charge at the start and running of this Zimbabwe Special Permits dispensation had been suspended and only won his case and returned to work recently,” Zunga said. He said this could be among the reasons behind the delay in finalising the renewal of the permits. “Highlighting the plight of these Zimbabweans affected is important so that the process is pushed faster at Home Affairs. Banks would say they are following the law. If the permits are not renewed the accounts would be closed,” Zunga said. He called Zimbabweans to remain “composed” as the Department of Home Affairs, through VFS, were processing their renewed permits.

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Our Community, our newspaper Issue 1 - 2018

Tel : 011 024-8210 / 011 402 - 1977 Inner-City Gazette

Fax: 086 609 8601

11-18 January 2018

Email : info@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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Website : www.inner-city-gazette.com

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Schools face water cutoff Gauteng Provincial Government owes the city of Johannesburg more than 420 Million Rands

Moses Moyo mosesmoyo@icloud.com

ome Schools in the Inner City might start the 2018 schooling term without water and electricity, the City of Johannesburg credit control department has sent water cutoff notices to a number of schools around the city, according to city officials this is due to delinquent utility payments by the Gauteng Department of education. Inner City Gazette visited 3 Schools in the area and found termination notices affixed to the school gates of Barnato High School, Jeppe High Preparatory School and Laerskool in Kensington, a letter in possession of the Inner City Gazette shows the Gauteng Provincial Government owes the city of Johannesburg more than 420 Million Rands. Dr Rabelani Dagada – Member of the Mayoral committee responsible for finance in the city of Johannesburg told the Inner City Gazette, “we will not disconnect the schools, as it will be disruptive, we are a caring government, we will pursue the provincial department responsible to pay, failure to pay will see them being credit controlled through in-

Pictures: Moses Moyo

Jeppe High Preparatory School notice ter-governmental means.” Recently the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg Cllr Herman Mashaba took part in a citywide revenue collection drive to collect just under R1 billion in arrears from over 2

Laerskool in Kensington notice

000 businesses which have failed to pay for services. Mashaba was joined by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s newly appointed chief David Tembe, head of the city’s Group

Forensics Investigative Department General Shadrack Sibiya, the City’s head of legal services Isaac Mogashoa, and senior officials from the City and entities. After numerous calls and e-mails

Barnato High School notice Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona eventually told the Inner City Gazette that, “according to our finance section municipalities have been paid.”

Inner-city Gazette

11-18 January 2018

For further information Contact Boston on 011 551-2000, e-mail info@boston.co.za, visit www.boston.co.za, or Facebook.

Follow your passion - Mark Cohen

hy did you choose this career?

Mark: I always had a passion for technology – not just using it but actually breaking things open to see how they worked from the inside. In the process of my career growth a few items have been rendered unusable, and my family had to pay a price for being supportive of my IT career growth! I am so fortunate that there was an avenue for me to properly develop international skills, and to forge a career in an industry I am passionate about.

What formal qualification did you have to attain to enter into this field?

Mark: When you are young you are still deciding what career to choose. That was me. I started off studying engineering, and switched to a degree in IT. This got me a great start into the industry. However, because IT is so fast growing, and always changing, there are opportunities to enter the industry without specific formal qualifications. This is an industry where you can create a career with “building blocks”, ie, you can qualify with individual CompTia and Microsoft modules and international exams, and begin working in an IT company or department. It is also a career of lifelong learning, so as you move along in your career you have to always be updating your skills and completing the international exams. It is also a career where employers look at the modules and skills you have more than at which university your graduated from. There is no need to ‘requalify’ when you take up job opportunities in another country as IT is an international career. All that being said, having a diploma in IT will indicate to an employer that you have not only the passion, but also the

tenacity, perseverance and intelligence required to complete three years of study in your industry, and this will put you in a better position when you apply for a job in IT.

that I had selected a different career. 3 important qualities that your position requires: Thinking laterally, creatively and with discipline. Working with teams. Perseverance.

Mark: Systems developers create, maintain, audit and improve systems to meet the needs of the company. They test both hardware and software systems and diagnose and resolve system faults. It is a pressurised job that often strays beyond the average 9am – 5pm day. Developers will also create diagnostic programs, and design and write code for business systems. Network computer systems administrators take care of, install, and organize the network’s local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and intranets, as well as support an organization’s computer systems and other data communication systems. It is a far more hands-on job, so to speak.

Mark: Two IT Diplomas will ensure you get the job of your dreams – both accredited by the CHE (Council on Higher Education). A diploma in Systems development, or the diploma in Networking. A Systems Developer earns an average salary of R265 131 per year in South Africa. (A skill in JavaScript is associated with the high pay for this job.) My advice? Mark: Follow your passion. If you are lucky enough to have a

What does your job entail?

Advice for grade 11 and 12 learners considering this career?

What do you enjoy most?

Mark: The world of It is high tech – we get to test and play with new ‘toys’, we work on the latest technology in order to ensure we meet our client’s needs, we do a lot of problem solving which is always awesome when you are able to solve an issue for your client, and we are involved in high tech development that other people will just read about. I love working with my team. They are an incredible bunch of talented and creative people, who are also off the wall! It makes every day enjoyable, and they are able to work together to come up with out of the box solutions for clients – solutions that work.

Career highlights?

Mark: My career highlight is that I have been in this industry for 25 years, and I love my job. I have never been bored or wished

Mark Cohen is the CTO of Domain Group. An international IT professional, and Consultant to Boston College. passion for something you can earn a good living out of, the world is your oyster. Work hard at school. Do as well as possible in Maths, and get loads of practice in order to understand the maths concepts well.

As many of the international IT skills as you can gather, A+ and N+ are great starting point. And moving on to programming for those that have the mathematical skills.

Applications are open, with no application fees payable. To apply, obtain the ‘application for admission form’ online, fill it in and submit it with the necessary supporting documents. Note that minimum entry requirements and closing dates vary from course to course. Contact Boston on 011 551-2000, e-mail info@boston.co.za, visit www.boston.co.za, or Facebook.

Gazette nner City

Our Community, our newspaper

Est 2009

CONTACT US: All rights and reproduction of articles, images and other items published in this publication are reserved in terms of Section 12(7) of the Copyright Act 96 (1978) and its amendments thereof. Email : info@inner-city-gazette.co.za Website : www.inner-city-gazette.com

Tel : 011 024 - 8210 011 023 - 7588 011 402 - 1977 Fax : 086 609 8601

Inner-City Gazette subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live up to the Code, within 20 days of the date of publication of the material, please contact the Press Ombud at 011 484 3612/8, fax: 011 4843619, or website: www.presscouncil.org.za

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11-18 January 2018

Inner-city Gazette

Bounce back after the holiday season!

he holiday season is over; and as we head back to work and plan for the next school year, we need to relook our budgets; given that pay day is still weeks away. The festive month-long holiday with family and friends was great but now consumers need to plan for the year ahead. January is a great time to re-evaluate and look at your goals for the year; which should focus entirely on budgeting and saving. “We underestimate the value of saving and often end up wishing that we had saved from the very beginning of the year. The extra money saved could benefit you and your family in the long run for those events that you planned for and for those unforeseen circumstances,” says Ester Ochse, FNB Financial Advisory, Product Specialist. Managing budgets on a month-to-month basis can help in ensuring that you are well off financially for the year in question. Ochse answers 6 questions to help you manage your finances better in 2018: 1. How do I get started and ensure that I better manage my money in 2018? Do a situational analysis on your current environment, the year that has been and the year ahead. Identify areas where you have overspent, wasted money or saved. We often overspend on items that we think are important, but in the end realise that it was not a genuine needs. 2. How do I identify my needs, wants and responsibilities clearly? This model is a great way to sum up what is important and what is needed in your life.

3. What will be my goals and objectives for 2018? Setting goals constructively helps you focus on what you want to achieve. Identify your long-term and short-term goals upfront. · Long term goals could be: plan a great overseas holiday, saving for your child’s University fees, retirement, extending your property or buying a new home. · Short term goals could be to: save for a car, birthday, gifting or home décor, etc. 4. How do I draw up a budget? Open up an excel spreadsheet and note down all of your upcoming expenses for the year. Look at the previous year and identify what your expenses, liabilities, assets and savings were and add this to the 2018 budget sheet. Remember with inflation these costs may go up each year. 5. How do I keep track of my money? There are many useful apps that will help you keep track of your daily, weekly and monthly spend. You can also use your bank statement as a way to keep tabs on what comes out of your account. This will help you determine where there is an unconscious spend that could affect your pocket; which will help you stick to your budget and SAVE money. 6. What about the economy? We live in an uncertain economic environment. As such, we need to ensure that we are well equipped to manage unnecessary expenses should they crop up at any time. Big or small, such expenses can cause a huge dent in your pocket, but if you prepared – you will be able to manage them effectively.

“As we begin 2018, we should be cognisant of the environment, global trends as well as industry related events that could affect the economy of South Africa; bearing in mind that the cost of living is constantly increasing. Don’t delay saving now for a better future. You may feel the pitch in your pocket or purse today but these initial steps will definitely benefit you in the long term,” concludes Ochse.

Ester Ochse, FNB Financial Advisory, Product Specialist.

Inner-city Gazette

11-18 January 2018

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Bidvest Wits get their mojo back 80 Helen Joseph and Polly Johannesburg 011 333 1107 084 220 6622 / 078 277 5215

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By Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za idvest Wits got their mojo back, blitzed SuperSport United in the opening half-hour on Wednesday night, then closed shop to get that valuable win that they have been desperate for to finally escape last place in the Absa Premiership. Bongani Khumalo and James Keeneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

R300.00 two people. We

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Picture: Moses Moyo

strikes in the 16th and 19th minutes made it a 2-0 victory to finally lift the air of depression that had fallen over Bidvest Stadium this season, as for the first time Wits actually looked like defending champions. They ended a run of four games without a win and went to 14 points, bumping Ajax Cape Town (13) into last.

Clever Boys coach Gavin Hunt might have blamed his sideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s missed chances for their atrocious start. But in truth, as much as there were those, it has been the explosion in the legs of attackers entering the opposition penalty area, and the shock value and disarray that provides, that has been as much lacking.

Contact Peter or Abednigo Tel : (011) 404 - 1353/4 Fax: (086) 699 - 4371 Email: admin@vukajozi.co.za

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