DA Calls for Urgent Action as 60 Killed in Taxi and E-Hailing Violence

Posted on August 15, 2025August 15, 2025 by

Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has called on Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government to take immediate action to address ongoing violence between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers, which has claimed at least 60 lives since April.

The most recent incident involved the killing of an e-hailing driver during clashes at Maponya Mall in Soweto. The DA says the situation poses a serious threat to both commuters and drivers and requires intervention from national government.

The party is urging Premier Lesufi and MEC for Roads and Logistics, Kedibone Diale Tlabela, to work with Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Police Minister Firoz Cachalia to address the conflict. They have also called for the publication of regulations under the National Land Transport Amendment Act and the Transport Appeal Tribunal Amendment Act, as well as ongoing engagement with the taxi industry to address unregulated and informal operations.

According to the DA, intimidation by taxi drivers has turned many shopping mall pick-up points into “no-go zones” for e-hailing services, limiting commuters’ ability to choose their preferred mode of transport.
The party proposes increasing the number of anti-crime wardens in hotspot areas and enhancing cooperation with the South African Police Service to prevent further violence.

“Competition in the transport industry is normal,” the DA said, “but ongoing deadly clashes cannot be allowed to continue.”

Garden Route plays host to Fynbos Forum

Posted on August 15, 2025August 15, 2025 by

“The Garden Route played host to the Fynbos Forum from 12 to 14 August at the iconic Wilderness Hotel”, says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

Established in 1997 the Fynbos Forum is South Africa’s premier conservation and research group dedicated to the preservation of the South African Fynbos Biome.

Vital to indigenous bio- diversity the Southern Cape is home to a magnificent treasure chest of Fynbos species. Unfortunately much of what remains of our once abundant Fynbos is critically endangered due to intensive agriculture, over development, encroachment of invasive alien plants and animals as well as frequent wild- fire disasters.

The Fynbos Forum is a scientific group of natural scientists, researchers, planners, managers, landowners and key stakeholders. It meets annually to discuss the collaborative production of knowledge that underpins regional conservation efforts in the Fynbos Biome in South Africa.

The good news is that as more land and conservation corridors in the Garden Route are becoming available for conservation and rewilding purposes as well as awareness grows on the incalculable value of Fynbos, there is a real chance that it may prevail despite many challenges.

As a transdisciplinary regional learning network, the Fynbos Forum supports discussions on management issues and research results, prioritizing future research and conservation management actions required to ensure the conservation and sustainability of fynbos ecosystems.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF)- a climate change and environmental management think- tank.(www.grefscli.co.za)

Eskom, Red Cross assist over 3 000 beneficiaries affected by extreme weather in E Cape

Posted on August 15, 2025August 15, 2025 by

Through the Eskom Development Foundation, Eskom has partnered with the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) to assist 3 668 beneficiaries across 501 Eastern Cape households affected by recent extreme weather conditions.

This after the region suffered heavy rainfall, flooding and snowfall, leading to fatalities, significant damage to homes and infrastructure, and the displacement of more than 1 500 people.

Over 3 000 households across the OR Tambo, Amathole, and Alfred Nzo districts have been affected, resulting in serious interruptions to transportation, electricity, and livelihoods.

Eskom has allocated R2 136 830 from the Eskom Development Foundation to provide vital relief items, including mattresses, blankets, food parcels, hygiene kits, and kitchen utensils to 3 668 individuals.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Eskom Development Foundation, Mologadi Motshele, said these beneficiaries were identified through a coordinated effort involving local ward councillors, disaster management teams, and trained volunteers working with SARCS, ensuring equitable and transparent distribution.

“Eskom stands with communities during challenging times. This effort embodies our value of Sinobuntu, showing empathy, compassion, and unity with those in need,” Motshele said.

Motshele said the Foundation’s Strategic Donations Committee approved this relief initiative on 30 June 2025 as part of Eskom’s wider corporate social responsibility efforts.

“For many families affected, this support represents more than material assistance; it’s a sign that they are supported and hopeful for the future.

“Eskom’s commitment goes beyond generating electricity. As a responsible corporate citizen, we strive to contribute sustainable value to South Africa. Our success is measured by the positive impact on the lives of South Africans. Beyond infrastructure development and electrification, Eskom supports local economic growth, skills development, and job creation, helping to transform communities nationwide,” Motshele said.

Eskom further extended its heartfelt condolences to those who have suffered loss and renew its commitment to aid in the recovery and rebuilding process.

About the Eskom Development Foundation
The Eskom Development Foundation (ESDEF) is a non-profit entity fully owned by Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. It implements Eskom’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy, focusing on sustainable development projects across all nine provinces.

The Foundation leads flagship initiatives in education, health, environmental protection, enterprise development, food security, rural infrastructure, and community upliftment.

Over the years, ESDEF has consistently worked to improve the well-being of South African communities through targeted CSR programmes.

Home Affairs collaborates with banks to expand services

Posted on August 15, 2025August 15, 2025 by

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA), First National Bank (FNB) and Standard Bank have launched a new partnership that will enable South Africans to apply for their smart card IDs and passports at the banks and at a later state on mobile applications.

FNB will be taking a phased approach to the rollout of these services. The bank is committing to rolling out 15 branches immediately, 240 branches over the next year, and more announcements to follow as the project plan unfolds.

Similarly, Standard Bank will be adopting a phased approach, with 20 branches going live this year and 300 over the next year with more to come by 2027.

Both banks will avail these services to all South Africans, including those who are not clients.
This partnership was launched on Wednesday.

“I am delighted that FNB and Standard Bank are the latest banks to partner with Home Affairs to expand the offering of our services across the entire country.

“This new digital partnership model that harnesses the power of technology, will dramatically increase Home Affairs’ footprint and thereby bring us closer than ever before to delivering our vision of Home Affairs at home.

“I am grateful to them for committing to demonstrate how we can resolve long-standing problems when we work together,” Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber said.

CEO of FNB Public Sector Banking, Sipho Silinda, welcomed the partnership with the department that spans over a decade.

“We have always believed that financial inclusion is directly linked to safe and secure documentation, and we are delighted to take our partnership with the DHA to the next level, by scaling our solution with more branches and reissuing via our App.

“We commend the Minister and his department for the vision they have shown and look forward to continuing to serve South Africans with professionalism and simplicity,” Silinda said.

Standard Bank Personal and Private Banking CEO, Funeka Montjane, the bank is proud to be part of this forward-thinking collaboration that will save clients time and make it easier to access essential identity services.

9 800 streetlights repaired, 35 000 electricity service requests attended to over July

Posted on August 15, 2025August 15, 2025 by

Cape Town City energy teams attended to more than 9 800 streetlight repairs over July, out of a total of approximately 35 000 electricity-related service requests.

"Over the month in review, Area East which includes Parow and Goodwood, and Area South, which includes Mitchells Plain, Gugulethu, Wynberg and Muizenberg unfortunately experienced the highest number of streetlight-related repairs with more than 7 200 combined cases.

The predominant cause of these faults is due to vandalism and theft related damage to infrastructure where electricity cables, transformers, streetlights, and substations along with other equipment located in our communities continue to be targeted. Our energy and law enforcement teams continue to be visible in all hotspot areas and we ask our residents to alert us to any suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods.

"We recently saw positive action with the successful prosecution and imprisonment of a cable thief and we will continue to support our law enforcement agencies and SAPS in our fight against vandals and infrastructure thieves".

"Our Protect Your Power campaign will also continue to be rolled out in all communities, especially hotspot areas to drive awareness and to ensure our customers know which channels to report the criminal acts of vandalism, theft and illegal connections," said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.

The City maintains more than 245 000 streetlights across the metro.