Human settlements department promises emergency housing grants to Booysens fire victims

Human settlements department promises emergency housing grants to Booysens fire victims

by | Jan 28, 2021

The department of Human settlement, Water and Sanitation has committed itself into providing emergency housing grants to Booysens’ informal settlement dwellers that were left destitute after a fire ravaged their homes.

 Human settlements spokesperson, McIntosh Polela says, “The department is going to extend grants to the Johannesburg Metro through our disaster grants in order to ensure that people that were affected by the fire will be assisted.”

The department says it will also be bringing in Rand Water in order to ensure that there is sufficient water in the temporary shelters where the victims have been temporarily moved. Polela says they will also ensure the provision of sanitation and decontamination throughout the period that the victims will be staying in the temporary shelters.

The department plans to work with the Department of Social Development in order for them to assist in identifying South Africans, including women and children, within the displaced group.

On Sunday, Johannesburg Mayor Geoff Makhubo said 80% of the fire victims are non-South Africans and the city was going to embark on a de-densifying drive.

The City has also promised to assist the community members, with building materials to rebuild their homes.

The fire, which is believed to have been started by a Kerosene stove, destroyed over 700 shacks and left thousands of people destitute. Report by Voice of Wits producer and newsreader, Lerato Mohoto.

POPCRU livid over attack of police officers in Limpopo

POPCRU livid over attack of police officers in Limpopo

by | Jan 4, 2021

Police union, POPCRU, has reiterated its call for the amendment of the criminal laws to impose heftier measures and penalties for attackers of police officers or any law enforcement officials in the country.

The renewed call comes after some community members in Greenside extension 44 outside Polokwane, in Limpopo, attacked police officers who had arrested undocumented immigrants on January 2.

The community assaulted the officers, pelted their vehicles with stones and released the suspects from the police vans.

POPCRU spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo, has described the incident as unacceptable and believes it was an attack on the state.

“This brazen attack can be viewed as an unscrupulous means not only to undermine law enforcement, but to also generate lawlessness within the community. We call upon law abiding citizens to frown upon and reject such regressive acts.”

POPCRU says the country’s high crime rate highlights the need for greater community involvement in the fight against crime.

He says POPCRU will continue working with Safer South Africa Foundation (SSAF) to encourage public participation in policing matters.

“Among others, we aim to benefit society by way of introducing a better understanding of the functioning of the criminal justice system, lay the foundation for improved relationships between law enforcement agencies and communities and bring access to justice stemming from exposure to various laws enforcement agencies.”