tame TIMES - BOKSBURG
15 September 2020 - www.tametimes.co.za
Tel: 011 862 8500 Fax: 086 241 5618
Undertakers are planning to shut down the collection of human remains
Undertakers are threatening to go on strike, saying all members of 17 black funeral associations and forums would be non-operational in all provinces from today. According to the co-ordinator of the Unification Task Team, Peter Matlatle, the association has given notice to the National Health Department that its members will embark on a national strike starting from today
The Health Department says while it will not allow non-compliance to legislation in the funeral undertaking sector, it is open to continue talks with undertakers who are set to down tools. “We will not allow non-compliance to legislation in this sensitive area. The Department of Health is willing to continue with talks with the funeral parlour sector to come to an amicable solution,” said the Health Department in a statement on Sunday. According to the department, two virtual meetings were arranged in August and one physical meeting at the beginning of September. These meetings were as a result of an “We will not allow open letter by the non-compliance to National Funeral Practitioners of legislation in this Association of sensitive area. The South Africa. that will affect Department of Health This is the only all hospitals is willing to continue association that across the wrote to the with talks.” country after department. failing to reach Following the an agreement meetings, the on the outsourcing department emphasised of mortuary facilities that all funeral undertakers and owned by black funeral undertakers to be recognised and mortuary premises used in connection legalised amid the Covid-19 lockdown. with the preparation, storage and
preservation of human remains must be in possession of a valid certificate of competence issued by the relevant local authority. “Environmental health practitioners are and will continue to conduct inspections at all funeral undertakers’ premises in the country to check compliance with the regulations. Legal action will be taken against owners of premises found to be in contravention. “Family members are urged to check the legitimacy of the undertakers and agents being utilised for overall management of the burial of their loved ones to ensure proper tracking and tracing, and that the handling of the remains is done with dignity and within the law,” said the department. On any issues relating to the management of human remains and for advice to ensure compliance with the regulations, the department urged the public to contact environmental health practitioners in district and metropolitan municipalities for assistance. “We further call upon members of the public to report any illegal operations to ensure the public can be protected from potential risks and the spread of communicable diseases as a result of poor management of human remains,” said the department.
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02
15 September 2020
Another fire has broken out at the Kruger National Park
Four Suspects To Appear In Court For Kidnapping Two Children
Four suspects aged between 21 and 50
were safely found. The suspects were
are expected to appear before court
found in possession of a firearm as well
for their alleged involvement in the
as some belongings believed to have been
Berg en Dal restaurant is currently on
Fire investigators will be called on site
kidnapping of two children aged 11
taken during the robbery. A grey Hyundai
fire in the Kruger National Park.
to shed more light on what could have
and 14 respectively, during a house
Elantra (sedan) which was used by the
According to a statement from the
caused the fire. The facility has been
robbery at Siyabuswa.
men to carry out their evil plan was
Kruger
camp
extensively damaged and further updates
The investigation by police revealed
confiscated as well.
staff, contractors and other people are
will be provided as they come to light.”
that the children, whose father is a
The suspects are expected to appear
currently busy trying to extinguish the
This is the second fire in less than a week.
businessman, were kidnapped by four
at the Mdutjana Magistrate’s Court on
fire which is contained in a section of the
On Wednesday evening a fire broke out at
armed men, on Thursday, 10 September
14 September 2020, facing charges of
facility. There are currently no details yet
the Letaba Camp in the Kruger National
2020, who then took them to a house in
house robbery, kidnapping and unlawful
as what could have caused the fire.
Park.
Limpopo. The suspects also made off with
possession of a firearm.
personal belongings including a vehicle
Police cannot rule out any possibility of
(Nissan Livina) as well as an undisclosed
linking them to other cases.
amount of cash. The stolen vehicle was
“We are very proud of these members
however found left abandoned not far
for acting swiftly in ensuring that the
from the victims’ house and the children
children are brought back to their
were driven in a different vehicle.
parents unharmed. We urge the public
The suspects then contacted the kids’
to assist with information that could lead
parents and demanded a ransom for
to the whereabouts of one outstanding
their release. The matter was reported to
suspect, “said General Zuma. Anyone
the police and a manhunt ensued where
with information on the whereabouts
a team comprising of various formations
of the wanted suspect in this case can
within the police was activated.
kindly
On Friday, 11 September 2020, the team
Colonel Jan Phofele at 079 499 5244 or
followed information which shed light
call the Crime Stop number 08600 1011,
into where the kids were being held
alternatively a tip-off can be dropped on
hostage. They (team members) responded
the MySAPSApp that can be downloaded
to the information where they managed
to any smartphone. All information will
to make a breakthrough whereupon four
be treated with confidentiality and callers
suspects were arrested and the children
may opt to remain anonymous.
National
Park,
“Rest
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15 September 2020
03
Simmer & Jack Landfill Burns While Refuse removal workers are not allowed ANC Ekurhuleni Leadership Fiddles to pick up additional refuse bags
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni is dismayed at the latest environmental disaster to strike the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE). A Massive fire broke out in the Simmer & Jack Landfill site in Primrose Germiston on Tuesday 8 September. Landfill fires are of particular concern owing to its degree of difficulty in extinguishing the flames as well as the residue and noxious smog it gives off. The exact cause of this incident still needs to be determined, but the terrain conditions did indicate that the surface area was dry, it was warmer and the working surface was not being compacted as per operating standards recently. It has come to the DA’s attention that the operating contractor has not been paid by the CoE since June, which is shocking and unacceptable. This lead to the breakdown of the site contractor vehicles, which are needed to optimally run the site and to compact the working surface of the landfill. One of the recommended methods from industry experience in fighting a landfill fire is to smother it with layers of covering soil. This option was not immediately available owing to the working vehicles unavailability, caused by the cash flow restriction. The DA has no confidence that the MMC of Environmental Resources and Waste Management, Cllr. Khosi Mabaso and the Head of Department, Mrs. Faith Mabindisa have the best interest of the Department, City or its residents at heart.
This is just the latest in a string of failures under their leadership, which includes the negligence of appointing grass-cutting contractors between July 2019 and June 2020. Grass cutting is still not taking place in the majority of the City’s parks and open spaces, which further exacerbates the pollution levels in the City’s dams and wetlands. Furthermore, the CoE is in contravention of environmental air quality legislation and the DA will leave no stone unturned to have this matter investigated and the perpetrators taken to task. This crisis is also not taken as seriously as it should be when HOD Mabindisa’s response to Councillor’s queries is, “the Department has been requested by the MMC to address Councillors through the office of the MMC”. Therefore, meaning that Councillors may no longer get answers to queries directly from officials but through a carefully spindoctored response from the ANC political office. The DA applauds the Primrose Fire Department for its quick response, but more specialised resources will be needed in haste. DA Ward Councillor, Wendy Morgan, in whose area the landfill site is has escalated her concerns to the City Manager’s Office, and “ we will be closely monitoring the response.” By Cllr Tiaan Kotzé – Member of Environmental Resource & Waste Management Oversight Committee in City of Ekurhuleni
Phosa pleads with all customers not to litter, avoid illegal dumping and to put their refuse out only on collection day. Customers are reminded that refuse removal workers are not allowed to pick up additional refuse bags, branches or any other form of refuse placed on top of or next to 240ℓ wheelie bins. “The advantages of using wheelie bins is the ability to minimise the tearing of bags by rodents and dogs – a problem that is facing most households in the City,” said Mandisa Phosa, Ekurhuleni’s head of waste management services. Phosa said customers who may need another 240ℓ wheelie bin for additional
waste can visit their nearest customer care centre to apply for the bin. When applying, please provide your identity document and municipal statement of account. The second bin is charged at a monthly fee of R 174.41 (excl Vat). On collection day residents are reminded to take their bins out as early as 07h00 to avoid missing refuse collections. Phosa pleads with all customers not to litter, avoid illegal dumping and to put their refuse out only on collection day.
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15 September 2020
Caster Semenya loses testosterone appeal Caster Semenya lost her latest appeal to be allowed to defend her Olympic 800m title without taking testosterone-suppressing measures, the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland announced Tuesday. “I am very disappointed by this ruling, but refuse to let World Athletics drug me or stop me from being who I am,” Semenya said in a press release. “Excluding female athletes or endangering our health solely because of our natural abilities puts World Athletics on the wrong side of history. I will continue to fight for the human rights of female athletes, both on the track and off the track, until we can all run free the way we were born. I know what is right and will do all I can to protect basic human rights, for young girls everywhere.” On May 1, 2019, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld a new World Athletics rule that caps athlete testosterone levels in women’s events from the 400m through the mile. Semenya had appealed to CAS hoping it would rescind the rule. Semenya (and South Africa’s track and field federation) appealed the CAS decision to the Swiss court, which took more than one year to announce its decision. The Swiss court announced Tuesday that CAS had the right to uphold the rule “in order to guarantee fair competition for certain running
disciplines in female athletics.” “The Swiss Federal Supreme Court cannot subject the CAS decision to any free legal control,” according to the Swiss court. “On the contrary, its examination of the content is limited by law to the question of whether the CAS decision violates fundamental and widely recognized principles of public order. That is not the case.” In March, Semenya announced she switched to the 200m to pursue Tokyo Olympic qualification. Her personal-best 200m time is shy of automatic Olympic qualification. “My dream has always been, and will continue to be, to compete at the highest level of sport,” was posted on
her social media then. Semenya is a two-time Olympic 800m champion undefeated at the distance since the start of 2016. She and the other two Rio 800m medalists have said they are affected by the rule. Semenya “is considering all of her options internationally and domestically,” according to Tuesday’s release. “This setback will not be the end of Caster’s story,” Greg Nott, a lawyer and Semenya’s longtime advisor, said in the release. “The international team [of lawyers and advisors] is considering the judgment and the options to challenge the findings in European and domestics courts. We stand with Caster. We stand united, and united we are strong.”
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