Agnes Makhemeng's body found in veld

Agnes Makhemeng's body lifeless body in veld. Photo: Supplied

The Dobsonville SAPS police members were patrolling their policing vicinity. The members discover a body of a known African female, Thuso Agnes Makhemeng who was dumped in the veld near Roodepoort Cemetery on 10 June. 

While investigating they discovered that the woman may have been strangled to death using an unidentified object.

Paramedics were called to the scene and declared the woman dead.

“The motive and suspects are unknown  but the police are following leads that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrator(s),” said Dobsonville SAPS spokesperson Constable Vusi Thokwan

Dobsonville SAPS Station Commander Brigadier Sipho Ngubane condemned this heinous crime.

Police are appealing with communitym members that  may have any information that could lead to the arrests of the suspect(s) to contact the Dobsonville SAPS on 011-983-1500 or Crime Stop 08600-10111 or use the MySAPS APP.

Police hunt for murder suspect

Lifeless  body of Thulani Sebeko. Photo: Supplied

The Dobsonville SAPS have launched a man hunt for an unknown perpetrator(s) who shot Thulani Sebeko (44) dead. Mr Sebeko was fatally shot at 7pm on 8 June near the cemetery in Roodepoort, precinct of Dobsonville.

He sustained gunshot wounds to his head.

It is believed that one of the residence heard gunshot, however, he was scared to leave his home to investigate what was happening outside. The next day (9 June) a passer-by found the body of Mr Sebeko and immediately contacted the police. 

Paramedics were called to the scene and declared him dead.

“The community is urged to refrain from using the cemetery route during the night and when accessing the route please be in pairs and be alert of your surroundings as to the area has become one of our crime hotspots,” said Dobsonville SAPS spokesperson Constable Vusi Thokwan.

He added that at this stage the motive and perpetrator(s) is unknown and a case of murder is under investigation. Anyone who can assist the police in their investigation can contact Dobsonville SAPS on 011-983-1500 or Crime Stop 08600-10111 or the MySAPS App.

Young male shot dead

  

 Captain Phephi Matlou of Diepkloof SAPS

A young male aged 26 was shot dead at Mostwaledi Informal Settlement on 12 June at approximately 7:10am. Diepkloof SAPS members responded swiftly to the crime and upon arrival found the man lying on the floor facing down with a bullet wound to his body.

“The police interviewed people who were around the scene and they said the deceased was seen at a tavern called Walters tavern during the night,” said Captain Phephi Matlou. 

The police are appealing to the community in assisting them to in find the suspect(s) who shot and killed the deceased. Anyone with information can contact Detective Sgt Sonnyboy Magengenene 079-890-7087 or 011-933-7400.

Two young men lose their lives

The community of Soweto gathered in Ext 11, Protea Glen on Thursday, 23 June to pay tribute to two young male friends who lost their lives on 19 June due to an alleged reckless driver who drove over them in his white BMW. It is alleged the driver is a police officer at the Johannesburg Metro Police Department.

 

Both Sakhile Mazibuko and Khayalethu Nkolongwane were walking barefoot in Ext 11, near Casban, at around 8 pm when the incident occurred. They succumbed to their injuries on scene. 

 

 

Sakhile's father said: “I was called to the scene at around 8:40pm and arrival we found that the driver had ran away. We know him, we know where he stays, and no arrests have been made yet. This really breaks my heart,” 

 

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said: “The department is aware of this matter, a case has been opened criminally and internally JMPD is assisting SAPS to deal with the case,” said Fihla.

 

A young man sucummbed to his injuries

A 23-year-old man sadly lost his life today (15 June) on the corner of Protea Avenue and Suikerbos Street in the afternoon. 

It's believed his car capsized falling on its roof.

His traumatized family were not able to talk as they were still reeling in shock to see their son covered in a rescue blanket next to his car. 

Community members did everything to help, including Lenmed ALS and Pulsate Private Ambulance. 

Jmpd were called to the scene and are investigating the cause of the accident.

Thembilihle Residents fed up with City not taking care of them

The Thembilihle Informal Settlement residents have been gatvol with the city's ignorance of not listening to them about their needs of basic service delivery.

They decided to take to the streets to toi toi (protest) on June 14, with the hope that the City will listen to their demands.

The residents who came out in numbers barricaded the K43 road by using rocks and burning tyres.

A resident Trevor Ntlatseng speaking to the media said, “We are gathered here with regard to the upgrading of the Informal Settlement programme.  Our informal settlement falls within the areas which can be developed and receive basic services. However, in the last meeting we had with the housing department, we were told that Thembelihle had to be relocated and this is the bone of contention.”

He further explained  that when the community leaders had reported back to the residents, the residents were adamant that such a report must be conveyed directly to them by the departmental officials. When the leaders spoke to the department, they were referred  to their ward councillor. 

"The leaders had explained to the City during a meeting that they could not move the people from Thembelihle to another location. They knew that there was money available to develop the area and asked the department to develop Thembelihle," said Ntlatseng . 

Ntlatseng expressed his frustration by saying that if the department had just listened to the leaders, they would not now be protesting.

JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla, urged motorists to avoid the K43 and to use alternative routes such as Nirvana Drive, the R554, Lenasia Drive and Volta Street.

Residents of Thembelihle Informal Settlement protesting on K43 Drive. Photos: Supplied

Caitlin Douman Foundation officially opened

Photo: MJay Media

Marcelle Daniels and Charis Pretorius' dreams came true!

The Caitlin Douman Foundation officially opened its doors to The Holistic Therapy Centre for People Living with Disabilities officially on the 29 April. The centre is situated at 73 Kremetart Avenue, Ext 3. 

The Caitlin Douman Foundation is named after Daniels late daughter, Caitlin Douman, who was born with Cerebral Palsy and died at the age of 18. This particular journey is very personal for her and it has an extremely clear understanding of the challenges the families with children living with disability are faced with on a daily basis

 

“The dream is, steadily being realised and our clients (people with disabilities) can now come to the centre to receive their much needed therapy,” said Daniels.

 

She added that their services include physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and eventually hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The centre also provides Parental Empowerment Support, Disabilities Awareness and Advocacy. 

 

Their excitement knows no bounds, but as Daniels excitedly explained this could not have been possible without the assistance and support of all their wonderful and loving donors, sponsors and contributors.

 

Eldomart Investment, donated the property where the foundation will be operating from and other sponsors assisted towards the revamp of the foundation.

 

Photo: MJay Media 

Wards 17 & 18 won by PA’s Rafferty and Smith

 

Ward 17 Cllr Peter Rafferty, PA Founder Gayton Mckenzie, and Ward 18 Cllr Juwariya Smith. Photo: Supplied.

Peter Rafferty. Photo: Supplied

Juwariya Smith. Photo: Supplied

Hundreds of Eldorado Park residents celebrated the Patriot Alliance (PA) party' s victory. The party emerged victorious on the recent bielections.  PA won ward 17 and 18. Peter Rafferty retained the ward for the third term. Juwariya Smith will take over ward 18. 

 

We took the opportunity to interview both councillors; here is what they had to say:

 

Councillor Peter Rafferty won Ward 17  

 

ET: How do you feel winning the ward? 

PR: I am totally humbled by the love and support shown by the residents of ward 17. However, all glory to God.

ET: How do you intend to make a change in your ward?

PR: I will put a new type of pressure on issues of service delivery. Launch of the sports council that will assist with the issue of drugs and crime in our area and clearing of all open spaces is on the cards. Free Wi-Fi to all residents is a key factor that will assist both students and the unemployed.

ET: How will the community benefit from you becoming the councillor? 

PR: They will experience a new sense of service delivery and closer engagement.

ET: How do you intend to eradicate the drugs issue in your ward? 

PR: Through the sports council and the free Wi-Fi to assist people to apply for opportunities. The revival of the local economy through regular engagement will assist in creating jobs.

ET: What are the issues in your ward that you will have to work on and fix that has not been sorted?

PR: Open spaces, road construction and storm water drainage in Pimville. Vandalism to our sporting facilities, housing, and unemployment.

ET: How do you intend to fix the major issue of service delivery in your ward? 

PR: As indicated we now putting new pressure to ensure that services are rendered on time with excellence.

ET: What is the number residents can call you on for any help they need? 

PR: 0733686948

ET: What is your message to the young generation? 

PR: Young people need to ensure they become part of the change they want to see. Voting makes that possible be part of what needs to change. Your vote your voice.

Councillor Juwariya Smith won ward 18

 

ET: How to you feel winning the ward? 

JS: Winning ward 18 for me meant the rebirth of Eldorado Park, to new & greener pastures. 

ET: How do you intend to make a change in your ward?

JS: Working with COJ together with the community at large, our stake holders & Committee members.

ET: How will the community benefit from you becoming the councillor? 

JS: A community member said to me few days ago Nekita Edwards she has never felt so loved before, she has never felt like she belonged in a political party the way she has a form of belonging in the PA, so with becoming ward councillor, I believe that there is now a sense of belonging in Eldorado Park, our people now have the chance to use their voices. something they never had before.

ET: How do you intend to eradicate the drugs issue in your ward? 

JS: I am a recovering addict, & I am addicted to the addict, & many will still judge me that’s okay, but I believe we need more skill centers, more development centers for our addicted youth, to start the clean-up process.

ET: What are the issues in your ward that you will have to work on and fix that has not been sorted?

JS: Through service delivery and working with the law enforcement.

ET: How do you intend to fix the major issue of service delivery in your ward?

JS: I need the residents of ward 18 to work with me, despite political differences.

ET: What is the number residents can call you on for any help they need? 

JS: 0636829503

ET: What is your message to the young generation? 

JS: Your only true failure is when you stop trying. Never stop trying.

Leader of patriotic alliance president Gayton Mckenzie has left me with something very profound that I'd like to leave with the younger generation, " I don't want my past to become your child’s future."

38-year old foreign national arrested

 Eldorado Park SAPS police members responded to a shooting incident that occurred on 6 May at 00:30 om Akwamaryn Street, Old Eldorado Park

 

 

It is alleged that an altercation occurred between the 28-year-old male victim and the suspect, concerning the removal of a waterpipe the day before.

 

According to witnesses who were on scene alleged that the 38-year-old suspect withdrew a firearm and shot the victim straight in his head.

 

The victim was not fatally wounded and was thereafter taken to hospital for medical attention.

 

The suspect was arrested at the crime scene by police officers on arrival  

 

“An unlicensed revolver firearm that had been in the possession of the suspect was recovered. The 38 year old suspect was thereafter detained at Eldorado Park SAPS for the charges of Attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm. He will appear in the respective court during the course of the week,” said Constable Roxanne Gibb, Eldorado Park SAPS spokesperson.

 

She stated that the relatives of the victim were attended to at Eldorado Park SAPS Client Service Centre on Thursday and also expressed their gratitude toward the swift response of the Eldorado Park SAPS.

Simphiwe allegedly fakes her own kidnapping/hijacking

 Simphiwe Kunene, 28, who claimed she lied about being hijacked was arrested by police on 20 April. 

She is believed to have fabricated her story that she was apparently kidnapped and hijacked on 19 May. A specialised task was put together for her search and sent on a wild goose chase. 

The matter was reported to the Protea Glen SAPS. The SAPS Provincial spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said: “A 28-year-old woman  was arrested for perjury, defeating the ends of justice and fraud after she reported a false hijacking and kidnapping case at Protea Glen police station in Soweto.”

He added that in her statement given under oath to the police, the suspect described how on Wednesday evening, 19 May, her vehicle was taken by unknown men in Mohlakeng, Randfontein, who then put her inside the boot and drove around with her for the better part of the evening.

“A team under the leadership of West Rand District Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana, comprising of senior detectives, members of crime intelligence and other police response units, that worked throughout the night to locate the "hijacked woman" swiftly established discrepancies in the supposed victim's statement,” Masondo said. 

He further explained that it emerged on a further probe that the said hijacking report was false and this was subsequently corroborated by the woman's confession that she was never kidnapped. 

Police confiscated the car of the suspect that she alleged was hijacked and her two cellphones, including the one she claimed was taken by the "hijackers".

Kunene appeared before the magistrate at Protea Magistrates Court on Monday, 24 May and was granted R2000 bail .The case has been postponed to 18 June for further investigations, on their next appearance, she will be given an opportunity to have her 

I-Meditate Africa – A Strong Mind: Building A Resilient Africa

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Millions across 54 African countries, prominent African leaders and others across the globe joined Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living and Peace Ambassador on Saturday, 22 May to meditate for peace and harmony in Africa. 

The Art of Living Foundation hosted its 9^th Annual campaign called the ‘I-Meditate Africa’. This year’s theme was ‘A Strong Mind: Building a Resilient Africa’.

 

“The aim of the campaign is to promote the use of meditation or mindfulness to build inner peace.  Sowing seeds of resilience and hope is the most appropriate action to take right now as the economic and social disruption caused by the pandemic continues to adversely affect so many lives,” said Gurudev

 

The event was immensely blown away by well-known panelist who took the opportunity to ask Gurudev some wonderful questions which he answered with serenity, and calmness followed by a meditation.

The remarkable host was Nonhlanhla Tutanu ,well-known   as Miss V Candy, a Zimbabwean Radio Personality and brand ambassador followed by our three extraordinary panellist, UNICEF Tanzanian Chief of Communications Manisha Mishra, The Youth Café and multi award winning Pan Africanist organisation, Willice Onyongo and Pontsho Piro Moloi, Former Botswana National Team Footballer and National Coach and not forgetting the soulful voice of Zimbabwean singer and songwriter Tamy Moyo who sang a beautiful song called, ‘It's a new day - new things are coming my way- Celebrate’.

Miss V Candy. Photo: Supplied

Miss V Candy, an enlightened soul spoke of denoted terms such as Ubuntu, Hunhu and Botho and explained that Art of Living volunteers brought together Africans from all races, religions, cultures, nationalities and walks of life from across continent to meditate for peace and harmony in Africa.

 

“Imagine all of us vibrating on the same frequency - it's going to be amazing - just the impact,” Miss V Candy said.

 

Hope and potential in youth. That was the message Mishra had reminded us.

She shared the potential the Youth have in the coming years to act as a force to be reckoned with.

 

Mishra explained that the mental health of children in  Africa will be 40% of the world's child populations/children. Covid has caused emotional distress in children. “We need to teach children how to look after their mental health,” she said. 

Manisha Mishra. Photo: Supplied

Mishra asked Gurudev, what should we as individuals and societies do to safeguard the mental health of our children and raise resilient and emotionally stable children?", she asked. 

 

Gurudev said: “African children are rhythmic and very close to nature. Education and medical helps to reach every corner of Africa. They need to learn meditation and learn to handle their stress. Meditation and counselling is essential. Skill training will reduce the number of school drop outs.

 

Moloi truly humbled and honoured by the IMA invitation thanked Gurudev for his opportunity to interact with him and the panellist. He explained that it really has opened his eyes and mind about meditation. He explained he has travelled the world and Africa and has seen how Africa is and how African’s live. He lives in an area where it is difficult to raise children and how he as a child had to go out and fend for himself and sees it in other parts of Africa. Something important Moloi said was “You cannot ever make it if you have a weak mind no matter how intelligent, educated or well off you are, the biggest asset is a strong mentality.

 

Pontsho Piro Moloi. Photo: Supplied

Moloi asked Gurudev, “What could you say to me that I could impart to my players/fellow professional footballers by encouraging them and showing them the importance of meditation?”

 

Gurudev said: “Happiness, it's like Dental Hygiene. You have good teeth but if you don't brush your teeth every day you're not going to keep it. In the same way this is Mental Hygiene - Meditation is equal to mental hygiene. It will help you to keep your state of vibrancy and happiness. In fact, it will only enhance your happiness.”

 

Onyongo spoke of how developing a psychosocial model to address mental health issues in the  youth in Africa. Meditation will reduce stress in children.

Onyongo asked Gurudev, “How could we address these challenges to achieve a youth-cantered post-covered recovery given the close links between youth mental health social disability and economic development,” 

Wllice Onyongo. Photo: Supplied

 

Gurudev said: Channel the youths energy properly by meditation and  without that otherwise it will create a lot of frustration and then depression what we find amongst the youth is when they are in the lockdown either they get so frustrated and get into depression or on the other side they become so aggressive and their relationship with everybody becomes so sour now at this time it is the best way to keep the mental balance is through meditation.”  

Tamy Moyo. Photo: Supplied

Rendani a young gymnast from Protea Glen needs your help

Rendani Khomo. Photo: Supplied

An eight-year-old girl who hails from the small town called Protea Glen; Soweto based in south of Johannesburg is proving that talent doesn’t always need a teacher but requires a lot of practice. 

 Rendani Khomola, 8, has such immense talent that she can bend like a rubber. Her proud mother Nhlanhla was all surprised when she saw her daughter's talent and thought her passionate baby did not have bones or more like she had soft bones which allowed her to bend like a rubber. What her daughter can do with her body is mind-blowing and unbelievable 

 

“I realised her gymnastics movements when she was 4-years-old. She would cross her legs when she sat down, and I would wonder if my daughter was normal,” Khomola says

Nhlanhla would think her daughter does not have bones and would be on her nerves when her baby played with her legs by either folding them or lifting them up above her head. 

 

“I would think that she will break her bones but as time went by, I realised that she is a special child with a special talent that needs to be groomed,” her excited mum explained

 

Her mother has been doing her utmost to get her into a gymnastics school that will help her learn and gain more knowledge about gymnastics. She requires help to get her daughter into a school in Soweto or anywhere in Johannesburg to ensure Rendani fulfils her dream of being a South African gymnast.

 

Rendani's dream is to participate in the Olympics.

 

Rendani explained her talent makes her feel extra special and unique.

 

“I always tell my mother that I want to join a gymnastic club as a hobby, I love it, even when I am playing with my friends on a normal day, I find myself bending my hands and legs,” said Rendani.

Young talented Rendani. Photo: Supplied