IN ASSOCIATION WITH
TAXI TIMES
KATHORUS I WITH THE COMMUNITY
A fear of having their houses sold drives community members to occupy them
26 JULY 2019, Week 30
Tel: 011 862 8500 I Fax: 086 241 5648
A mega housing project of more than 6 000 houses taking place in Palmridge Ext 10 and 12 which was set to be a relief for people without houses has given birth to bitter battle between stake holders which are community members and City of Ekurhuleni government. Community members from Thokoza, Katlehong and nearby townships have occupied houses since Friday, 19 July 2019. Community members say they occupied the houses because they did not want to experience what they have experience from the previous housing projects were people did not receive their houses even though they had confirmation letters. These community members are accusing government officials of corruption by selling poor people’s houses to foreign nationals and to young people with money. These other previous housing project these people are talking about are
Eden Park and Tsakane RDP housing project. These project were said to accommodate the people who registered for RDP houses in 1996 but majority of them are still staying in shacks as their houses in these project were illegally occupied by people who were not meant to benefit from them. Tame times visited Palmridge Ext 10 &12 on Tuesday 23 July and spoke to the said “house invaders”. These people asked to be anonymous as they fear victimisation. “We would like our government to treat us equal like our brothers and sisters from outside the country who get houses in short time when they get here. We are not damaging anything or disturbing any construction workers building these houses but we just moved in with our papers and the sms’s that confirms our stand numbers and addresses. The reason we are doing this our houses we taken in Eden Park and Tsakane now
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we’ve had enough of corrupt officials and councillors who are stealing from us,” said a community member who occupied one of the houses. Another one said if the municipality wants to do the right thing must first evict the people who illegal occupied people’s houses in Eden park, Tsakane and come here because all along they were quiet. Construction worker doing plumbing works on the houses in the area Frybet Zulu said: “These people are not disturbing us they let us continue with our work and now we even working until late and the material is no longer getting stolen as they patrol at night”. Another twist to the story is the issue of Self Defence Unit (SDU) members who are not being recognised by the Directory of Military Veterans which recognises its members by force numbers. However there are those who do not have force number because they
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are not on the data base of DMV as a results thy do not receive any benefits yet they fought and house who are meant for people who fought are given to people young as 27 years and called veterans whereas they never did anything for the country. Ekurhuleni Housing MMC Lesiba Mpya said: “In the project in Palm Ridge Ext 10 and 12, the total yield is 6019. “We have dedicated 2 000 stands for the rapid release programme, where those who can afford to build for themselves will be given a fully serviced stand, subject to a qualification criteria.” He said they had also set aside 670 stands for MK veterans across all parties.“We have instructed our lawyers to approach the courts in seeking legal recourse. We will have to evict those who will not voluntarily vacate the houses,” said Mpya.
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26 JULY 2019
Robbers trapped inside safe Ins and outs of starting a taxi business
A quick thinking employee at the Sky City Mall in Kliprivier trapped two armed robbers in a safe before police arrested them with the stolen cash yesterday evening. Police also recovered a firearm which they allegedly used to shoot at the door which failed to open. The suspects were part of a gang that terrorised the employees at the Mall but others managed to escape in a getaway vehicle leaving their accomplices behind. Police have launched a manhunt for them. Members of the K9 Unit, Flying Squad and local police officers surrounded the complex when they heard that the
suspects were trapped inside the safe. They entered the premises and managed to arrest the suspects. The suspects sustained minor injuries during the arrest and were taken to the Sebokeng Hospital under police guard. They will be charged with cases including attempted murder, business robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm. The suspects are being profiled as they may be part of a gang that are involved in serious and violent crimes including business robberies and hijacking of vehicles. Source: Office of the Provincial Commissioner Gauteng
Residents waited 21 years for houses, instead got toilets
Residents of Mayfield outside Daveyton in the Ekurhuleni Metro claim that they have waited for houses for 21 years, but instead have been given toilets. They say they raised the issue of housing with government once again four years ago, but since then no houses have been built. Instead, toilet buildings have been constructed with solar-powered geysers - but the community is understandably unhappy. Building on the project began three years ago. Residents of the Gaddafi and Baghdad informal settlements say that the city told them to move to the properties after the toilets were built and then wait for the houses to be constructed, but they refused. Since then, they say that not a single house has been built, according to
News24. Additionally, executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mzwandile Masina, says that these toilet buildings were never meant for use by residents of the neighbouring informal settlements at all. Rather, Masina says that the toilets were built for use by the so-called ‘missing middle’: those who are too wealthy to qualify for RDP housing, but too poor to receive a bond from a bank. Now, the toilets stand abandoned, having cost taxpayers more than R20.5 million. This is not the first dubious toilet construction scheme in the metro, however. AmaBhungane previously reported that the municipality spent just under R2 billion on a chemical toilet project which enriched several suppliers, but left residents dissatisfied.
The taxi industry in South Africa has been given a bad reputation over the last few years, but what very few realise is that it’s a very lucrative business opportunity for taxi owners. There will always be commuters; hence there will always be a business opportunities available for taxi operators. Who to register with As with any other business, owning a fleet of taxis requires planning. Planning that involves fleet management and acquiring the necessary paperwork to operate in a certain vicinity. After the business plan and funding has been obtained, the taxi owner must register his business with the appropriate South African agencies, including the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO), the Department of Labour and the Department of Transport. Thereafter the licensed taxi driver is free to operate and can be hired for business. What you need to get started The most important certificate for a taxi operator to have is a route license. The taxi association will upload the driver and vehicle details on a database, which will then in turn show if the route is profitable or not. If there are too many taxis on the same route, then the likelihood of the driver making a profit will be reduced. The routes are also allocated and controlled by local governments, but the taxi association’s task is to be very careful in making sure
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that there aren’t too many drivers running the same route. They basically make sure that the routes are viable. This will also ensure that no conflict will arise between drivers, even if it may seem like the inevitable given the stigma of South Africa’s taxi operators. Start-up capital Commonly used vehicles are Toyota or Nissan taxies. These are called the premium vehicles in the taxi industry because of their reliability. These taxies retail from about R100 000 to about R340 000, but for the overall cost that would include paying your license and taxi association fees, the total cost can amount up to R350 000 to start a taxi business. Every industry has its flaws, and every business comes with financial gains and financial losses. It’s up to the taxi operator to ensure that his business runs smoothly. Although minibus taxis are a familiar sight on South Africa’s roads, the inner workings of the business are not generally well-known. That is why before venturing bull-headedly into this industry, it’s best to do the necessary research. Speak to someone in the know Another great way to find insight into the world of taxi operators is to speak to a driver about the ins and outs of the business. You will be able to get a better feel for it and even learn a few tricks of the trade amongst the rest of the drivers. People are always willing to share if you are willing to ask.
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26 JULY 2019
Chris Hani Mall fighting violence and bullying in schools
On the 18 July as many people were doing their bit to celebrate the International Mandela day Chris Hani Mall in Vosloorus did its own 67 minutes for Mandela by donating a ‘Bench with a Tell on a Bully Box’ to Abram Hlophe primary school. This bench will provide a safe anonymous space for learners to report bullying via secret ‘Tell on a bully box’ and will also provide a friendly reminder to children that friendship can be formed by sharing a seat. Tell on a bully box is a safe and private communication box between learner and the teacher. The box is used to inform teachers any bullying behaviour in the school. The teacher will be the only person who can open the box and read the letters. You can choose not to write your name but it is important that the teacher knows who is being bullied and by who. Include your name so your friend can know that you are standing up for them. The teacher will provide a safe space for bad behaviour to be stopped and you will be protected. “The purpose is to eradicate violence and bulling in schools while cultivating a culture of sharing. We hope to make schools safe and allow learners to feel free at all times while at school,” said Chris Hani Mall’s marketing manager Lebohang Matlala.
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26 JULY 2019
Teboho on Taiwan mission
By Zeb Mathobela
A young, talented baseball player who is currently doing grade four at Leratadima Primary School, Teboho Mofokeng, has temporarily abandoned his primary school classroom for the international baseball arena. Teboho is on the trip of a lifetime, representing South Africa at the WBSC u-12 Baseball World Cup in Tianang, Taiwan, until August 4. The fortnightlong tournament brings together all the top baseballplaying nations at u-12 level. Teboho will be exposed to some of the best exponents of the sport in the world in his age group.
Teboho plays at the Palm Ridge Baseball Club, situated in Palm Ridge Alberton. The club receives no funds from parents and therefore rely on donations, but thanks to the Greater Alberton Taxi Association and Bligvest they have managed to donate R10 000 to Teboho. The U-12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan will be the stage of the best 11- and 12-year-old baseball players in the world, and Teboho will be among the very best and most iconic facilities ever offered to talented young athletes of this age. Taxi Times wishes Teboho best of luck.
Katlehong Athletics is giving platform to youngsters to be scouted
On Sunday, 21 July Katlehong Athletics club in partnership with the City of Ekurhuleni (Division Sport and Recreation) hosted the annual road race and street mile series at Huntersfield stadium, Katlehong. The run started at 7 O’clock in the morning with a 5km run/walk and was attended by various soccer clubs from across Ekurhuleni. Chairman of Katlehong Athletics Club Hloni Motloung said: “The main purpose of the programme is to create opportunities for junior athletes to participate and be identified at an early stage for future development in middle distance running. The original implementation of the street Mile events were done in conjunction with the local athletics clubs, which are active in their respective areas”.
“This was a dress rehearsal for Isaac Mabula 10 km challenge which will take place next year in July which will also have 5km and street mile,” added Motloung. Athletes who took first positions in all the three races from both male and female races received a free massage from Mommy Wellness Spa. Katlehong AC Street Miles Results 21/07/2018 Girls under 13 1. Deketseng Motsoeneng :Run Zone 05:25 2. Ntombi Gumede : Simunye 05:27 3. Lebo Nkanyani : Palmridge 05:33 Boys Under 13 1. Ntokozo Msimanga : Ulinda 05:11
2. Lefa Kwanele : Ulinda 05:13 3. Njabulo Hlatswayo : Ubuhle 05:27 Girls 15 1. Ntokozo Gumede : Simunye Global 05:22 2. Nonhlanhla Glamini : Palmrige 05:57 3. Kgomotso Nkosi : Ulinda 06:21 Boys 15 1. Siyabonga Mbatha : Katlehong AC 04:40 2. Andile Dhludhlu : Ulinda 04:41 3. Lebogang Sibande : Ulinda 04:50 Junior Girls 16 - 19 1. Nthabiseng Motaung : Katlehong AC 06:25 2. Olga Macuacua : Ubuhle 06:32 3. Phindile Mdluli : Ulinda 07:03 Junior Boys 16 - 19
1. Prince Mcabolo : Born To Run 04:25 2. Phemelo Ntoe : Mohlakeng AC : 04:26 3. Andries Sesedi : Colossus 04:29 Open Women 1. Simphiwe Mabuza : Gallopers AC 05:42 2. Makoma Bajji : Maxed Price AC 06:16 3. Aselina Nyathi : Post Office 006:57 4. Adelinah Mthimkhulu : Gallopers AC 06:58 5: Nozipho Khama : Simunye 07:51 Open Men 1. Kabelo Melamu : Murray & Roberts 04:20 2. Thabo Motaung : Scaw AC 04:24 3. Tsepo Ntuntwana : Murray & Roberts 04:28 4. Mmuso Fotoi : Colossus 04:31 5. Thato Pule : FFA 04:36