The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security directorate has defended Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato, amid calls for him to step down over an altercation with an Ocean View resident on Friday. According to the City, the footage was distributed by the Cape Coloured Congress (CCC) as a means of politicking, a claim the party disputes. It follows edited video footage taken during a walkabout with ward councillors, Neighbourhood […]
Cape Town Mayor, Dan Plato, has appealed to residents to observe adherence and do everything to flatten the second peak of infections to avoid the City being declared a COVID-19 hotspot. In wishing residents a safe festive season, Plato says while beaches in the City remain open, residents must respect the national regulations that have been put in place: “Be safe, don't drink and drive, adhere to the measures. Wear […]
The Department of Energy has gazetted new regulations outlining their commitment to sourcing over 11 800 MW of power for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) over the next few years. This new energy will be procured from diverse sources, including solar, wind, gas, coal and storage. While meeting the country’s energy needs well into the future, this new capacity will also help meet international obligations to reduce carbon emissions. Energy Minister […]
Calls have heightened for top City of Cape Town officials to be suspended for their involvement in a recent eviction in Khayelitsha which has raised questions around police brutality. It comes after eThembeni informal settlement resident Bulelani Qholani was forcefully evicted from his illegally erected shack by City law enforcement and Anti-Land Invasion Unit members last week. Footage of the incident, which also depicted a physical altercation and the 28-year-old’s […]
The family of kidnapped Cape Town businessman Liyaqat Parker have made an impassioned appeal for his release, describing him as a “devoted family man and astute businessman”, who built up his business through hard work over many years. The 65 year businessman was shoved into a bakkie at gunpoint as he pulled up inside the basement of his business premises in Parow yesterday morning, allegedly by five suspects. Police are […]
By Melanie Sauer The Department of Community Safety is calling for a collaborative approach to end gang-violence and crime in the Western Cape once and for all. Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, Dan Plato, hosted a public meeting on Sunday in Elsies River to respond to the concerns of residents, who are reeling after the loss of three community members in a drive-by shooting last Monday. A large crowd […]
The Western Cape Department of Community Safety yesterday launched the department’s safety campaign as part of the16 Days of Activism Campaign for No Violence against Women and Children. The campaign was officially launched in Heinz Park, Philippi, and aims to help empower those affected by abuse to speak out. Speaking to VOC’s Breakfast Beat, MEC for Community Safety, Dan Plato explains that the department is calling on all women to […]
As criminal activity continues to impact communities, local community police forums (CPF) and neighbourhood watches are requesting funds, remuneration and escorts for additional security when conducting tasks. But, minister of community safety, Dan Plato says that the phrase, ‘we want money for what we are doing’ has surfaced in every related meeting. Plato says that the work of CPF’s and neighbourhood watches is meant to be voluntary work. “We want […]
The issue of gang violence, though having increased over the past few months, remains a ‘norm’ in the lives of Cape Flats communities, but with the recent discovery of an arms cache in Valhalla Park, residents have been granted renewed hope. In what is considered a ground-breaking discovery, last week the South African Police Service (SAPS) seized over 250 firearms, ammunition and an undisclosed amount of money at a home […]
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
