Shooters caught soon after incident | Shooters caught soon after incident | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Metro Police officers were conducting a stop and search operation in Tafelsig on Saturday, 15 February, when they received information about a vehicle involved in a shooting earlier in the day. | <p></p><span><p>Metro Police officers were conducting a stop and search operation in Tafelsig on Saturday, 15 February, when they received information about a vehicle involved in a shooting earlier in the day. </p><p>Upon spotting the vehicle on Eisleben Road, officers attempted to stop the driver, but he refused and sped off. </p><p>A high-speed chase ensued, during which the occupants fired multiple shots at the officers. </p><p>They returned fire and the suspects eventually crashed into a barrier on Duinefontein Road, near the Jakes Gerwel Bridge. </p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/gun22.jpg" alt="" style="width:655px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>Three suspects were apprehended and officers confiscated two pistols - a 9mm Norinco Star with five live rounds of ammunition and a Glock 19,9mm pistol with an extended magazine and six live rounds – with their serial numbers intact. In addition, officers also discovered 18 spent cartridges in the vehicle.</p><p>Two of the suspects sustained head injuries in the collision and received medical attention on the scene. They will be charged with reckless and negligent driving, firing a weapon in a municipal area, attempted murder, the possession of an illegal firearm and the possession of ammunition.</p><p>All three, aged between 30 and 35, were detained at the Mitchells Plain SAPS.</p><p>‘Officers acted on information immediately and didn’t hesitate when they saw the vehicle suspected of being involved in the shooting. Our communities are plagued by a proliferation of guns and indiscriminate shootings. The question remains where criminals are getting a seemingly endless supply of guns and bullets from and why firearms convictions are so low in South Africa. It is these two factors that are enabling the continued shooting and deaths of innocent residents. </p><p>‘Since 2021, the City has made 1 670 arrests linked to some type of illegal firearm that we are tracking (illegal firearms, zip guns, imitation firearm). Yet we see the same persons back on the street, having served no meaningful time in prison. We call on the National Minister of Police to urgently intervene and initiate an investigation around the influx of ammunition to gangs and vulnerable communities. Fix the problems that are causing cases to be withdrawn due to delayed ballistic testing,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.</p><p>Metro Police Officers arrested a total of 59 people this past week and confiscated a number of drugs, weapons and ammunition.</p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/spent%20cartridges.jpg" alt="" style="width:655px;" /></figure></span><p><strong>Public Emergency Communication Centre </strong><br>The PECC recorded 1 599 calls this weekend, of which just less than a third (520) were medical complaints. The centre also recorded 81 assault cases, 51 domestic violence complaints and 51 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents. </p><p><strong>Traffic Service</strong><br>Cape Town Traffic Services held integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations and recorded a total of 31 664 speeding offences and issued 29 096 fines for various traffic violations. </p><p>In total 277 public transport vehicles were impounded and 1 622 warrants of arrest were executed.</p><p>Traffic officers made 48 arrests for the following offences: </p><ul><li><div style="text-align:justify;">27 for driving under the influence of alcohol </div></li><li><div style="text-align:justify;">12 for reckless and negligent driving </div></li><li><div style="text-align:justify;">nine for other violations, including the possession of a stolen vehicle, false documentation, and assaulting an officer</div></li></ul><p><strong>Law Enforcement</strong><br>Law Enforcement officers made 240 arrests for a number of transgressions, including the possession of drugs, ammunition and dangerous weapons.</p><p>Residents are reminded to report any criminal activity or emergency by contacting the PECC on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline. </p><p><br><strong>End</strong><br></p><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> </figure></span><span></span> | 2025-02-16T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
Update: Public invited to quarterly Permit Advisory Forum meeting on marine outfalls discharge permits | Update: Public invited to quarterly Permit Advisory Forum meeting on marine outfalls discharge permits | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/%28Treasury%29%20Policies%20and%20publications%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate invites residents, stakeholders, and interested parties to attend the next quarterly meeting of the Permit Advisory Forum (PAF) on Friday, 21 February 2025 at the updated time of 10:00 | <p>The forum provides a platform for public dialogue with the City on the treatment and management of effluent discharged through these outfalls.</p><p>Attendees will have the opportunity to engage City engineers and specialist consultants on their presentations about the latest developments on compliance measures, environmental considerations and ongoing initiatives to effectively manage coastal water quality.</p><p>‘We encourage all interested parties to participate in these discussions, which play a vital role in improving transparency about the continued evaluation of the management of marine outfalls,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.</p><p><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-9-0">Updated meeting details:</strong><br>Date: Friday, 21 February 2025<br>Time: <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-9-0">10:00 to 12:00 (This is the new time. The meeting will not be taking place at 13:30 as originally communicated.)</span><br class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-9-0"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">Venue: Council Chambers, 6th Floor, Civic Centre, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town</span><br>RSVP: Email <a href="mailto:public.participation@capetown.gov.za">public.participation@capetown.gov.za</a> </p><p><br>End</p><p><br> </p> | 2025-02-16T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
Cape Town makes its mark on world map for water reuse | Cape Town makes its mark on world map for water reuse | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/header_water.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | The interactive online tool spotlights locations where 100 drinking water reuse schemes are situated worldwide. | <span><p>In December 2024, three of the City of Cape Town’s water reuse schemes were added to the Global Connections Map, compiled by the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), in partnership with the USA’s WaterReuse Association.<br> <br>The interactive online tool spotlights locations where 100 drinking water reuse schemes are situated worldwide. </p><p>There are currently 35 cities where water reuse projects are plotted, which are either planned, built or already in operation. This illustrates how several international communities now rely on water reuse, as part of their strategy to sustain drinking water supply. <br> </p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Cape%20Town%20makes%20its%20mark%20on%20world%20map%20for%20water%20reuse%201%20-%20water360.com.au.jfif" alt="" style="width:1007px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>‘Cape Town is not alone in its efforts to augment water supply through alternative sources. Globally, purified recycled water is already part of the drinking water system for 30 million people,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.<br> <br>Implementing potable water reuse means that wastewater will be treated through an advanced water purification process, until it can be safely used again for drinking. The City of Cape Town has been exploring this method combined with other water sources, as a way to help secure enough drinking water in the supply network into the future.<br> <br>More about the City of Cape Town’s sites featured on the Global Connections Map:</p><p>1. Faure New Water Scheme (planned) is a direct potable reuse scheme that will produce 70 million litres (upgradable to 100 million litres) of drinking water per day. The project is currently in the design phase. The scheme will convert highly purified source water from Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works into safe drinking water that meets international quality standards. This requires an advanced water purification process involving multiple technological barriers (ozonation, biologically-activated carbon filtration, granular-activated carbon filtration, ultrafiltration, ultraviolet advanced oxidation and disinfection). Once purified, the water will then be blended with dam water and treated again at the existing Faure Water Treatment Plant, before being distributed through the City's drinking water supply network.</p><p>2. Atlantis Water Resource Management Scheme (operating) is a ground water scheme that includes a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) component. The managed aquifer recharge includes the infiltration of conditioned stormwater and treated effluent into strategic zones of the aquifer, to ensure sustainability of the aquifer biome over the long-term. The Atlantis scheme currently produces 13 million litres per day and is being optimised to produce 25 million litres per day in the medium-term. In the long term, it can be expanded to produce 40 million litres per day.</p><p>3. Cape Flats Managed Aquifer Recharge (under construction) is a component of the Cape Flats Aquifer Management Scheme. The scheme includes abstraction of groundwater from the Cape Flats Aquifer and the MAR component, which consists of injection of treated effluent into the strategic zones of the aquifer, to ensure sustainability of the its biome over the long-term. This scheme is anticipated to produce 54 million litres of drinking water per day.</p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Cape%20Town%20makes%20its%20mark%20on%20world%20map%20for%20water%20reuse%202%20-%20water360.com.au.jpg" alt="" style="width:856px;" /></figure></span><p>‘Cape Town is investing more in infrastructure than Johannesburg and Durban combined, with a capital budget 91% larger than Joburg and 117% larger than eThekwini over the next three years. Water and Sanitation represent 42% of our approximate R120 billion 10-year infrastructure pipeline, funding critical projects from our New Water Programme that will produce 300 million litres of drinking water daily by 2030. Unlike other metros, Cape Town is proactively securing its water future through innovative solutions that ensure resilience against climate change and population growth.’ said Mayoral Committee Member Cllr Zahid Badroodien. </p><p>Cape Town’s New Water Programme<br>The New Water Programme is a strategic response to Cape Town’s increasing water needs and climate variability. By introducing multiple water sources, the programme aims to add 300 million litres per day to the city’s supply. The key initiatives include:</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:justify;">Water reuse: The Faure New Water Scheme will be a state-of-the-art water reuse project that will produce up to 70 million litres of drinking water daily. Public participation on outsourcing the implementation and operation of the facility begins in March 2025.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:justify;">Desalination: The Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant, currently in the planning phase, will use multi-barrier treatment technology to remove pollutants and salts, ensuring the production of high-quality drinking water. The City launched a public participation process on 31 January 2025, on outsourcing the implementation and operation of the facility, with feedback submissions open until 3 March.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:justify;">Clearing of invasive plant species: The removal of invasive alien plant species is a cost-effective way to free up billions of litres of water in Cape Town’s key catchment areas. The removal of non-indigenous, water-guzzling plants is an important component of the City's Water Strategy and long-term NWP, which aims to add 55 billion litres per year to the water network.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:justify;">Groundwater abstraction: Tapping into aquifers to secure over 100 million litres per day.</div></li></ul><p>Caption 1: Global purified recycled water locations at various stages of completion, plotted on the Water360 website. <br> <br>Caption 2: Cape Town’s planned Faure New Water Scheme now included in the international listing.<br> <br> <br>End</p><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> </figure></span><span></span> | 2025-02-16T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
Budget 25/26: Cape Town calls for more affordable housing funding for cities | Budget 25/26: Cape Town calls for more affordable housing funding for cities | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Former%20Mayors%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Cape Town can immediately accelerate affordable housing construction across various projects for which we’ve already released land. | <p>‘We are eagerly awaiting Finance Minister Godongwana’s confirmation that the Budget includes more funding for cities to deliver well-located affordable housing, as President Ramaphosa promised in SONA.</p><p>‘Cape Town can immediately accelerate affordable housing construction across various projects for which we’ve already released land. This includes over 4 000 units in the inner city, and an overall pipeline of 12 000 units in well-located parts of the metro. </p><p>‘The national subsidy regime remains extremely constrained and is a handbrake to fast-tracking social rental housing developments. We recently passed guidelines to discount City land released for affordable housing, however developers still battle to pull-off viable projects due to constrained subsidies.</p><p>‘Our accelerated land release for affordable housing programme is ensuring that Cape Town based projects now dominate the national pipeline of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA). But this pipeline can only move as fast as the available subsidy funding. Putting more money behind subsidies will directly enable social housing companies to viably deliver thousands of affordable housing units in Cape Town over the next few years,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.</p><p>The Mayor further called for no cuts to pro-poor grant-funding, and for Cape Town to get its fair equitable share from the national fiscus based on updated census figures showing the metro is about to overtake Johannesburg as SA’s most populous city of nearly five million residents.</p><p>‘There is more than enough waste and excess that can be cut in national government, and we are absolutely opposed to any pro-poor grant funding cuts to provinces and municipalities. Cape Town has spent a minimum 99% of all grant-funding since 2020 to upgrade informal settlements and provide a measure of free housing to the poorest. These conditional grants must be protected at all costs from the nationwide cuts seen in previous years,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.</p><p>The Mayor said the City is further hoping for the Budget to make good on a recent undertaking by national government to re-commit funding to emergency housing provision in metros.</p><p>Aside from more subsidy funding, Mayor Hill-Lewis previously welcomed various housing reforms announced in the President’s SONA, including the intention to release more well-located land in metros. In Cape Town, the City has been calling for the release of national government-owned mega-properties, including several military bases and parts of the parliamentary village for affordable housing development. </p><p><br>End<br></p> | 2025-02-16T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |