As holidaymakers return home after the festive season, the Department of Mobility has urged motorists to exercise caution on the roads to reduce accidents and save lives. Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku provided an update on road safety during this period. “On the 30 December within our province, we were very fortunate that there were no fatal crashes. Most people are going to be coming back to our province, […]
The festive season is often synonymous with celebration and togetherness but also carries a darker side for many in the Western Cape, as mental health challenges escalate during this time. The province’s healthcare sector has been inundated with emergencies, but the surge in self-harm incidents and suicides has brought the issue of mental health to the forefront. Since December, emergency centres have reported 89,500 admissions, including nearly 24,000 trauma cases. […]
As part of its holiday crime prevention strategy, the Western Cape has welcomed 940 additional officers, part of the 2,700 new police recruits recently graduated from various police colleges nationwide. These recruits aim to bolster efforts to curb criminal activity during the festive season. Llewellyn Macmaster, Chair of the Cape Crime Coalition, commented on the reinforcements, saying, “I think given the reality, it is not enough. On the other hand, […]
Crime analyst Willem Els said South African criminals have lost fear and respect for police, as shootouts between criminals and police members are on the rise across the country. Earlier this week, a shootout ensued between the South African Police Services (SAPS) and a group of seven men allegedly involved in extortion at a shop owner in Bothasig. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Friday Els said criminals have become brazen […]
By Lee-Yandra Paulsen The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape arrested two suspects for drug dealing following a joint intelligence-driven operation. Officers from the K9 Unit, Flying Squad, and Provincial Traffic arrested two foreign nationals, aged 25 and 35, for dealing in mandrax. SAPS spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk stated, "Members received reliable information about drugs being transported in the Paarl area. They acted swiftly, locating the […]
By Kouthar Sambo Civil society groups expressed concern as the planned 2,400 teacher job cuts across the Western Cape would increase the unemployment rate and further deteriorate the quality of education. This comes after the provincial education department last week revealed that the cuts were due to the National Treasury slashing its budget by R3.8 billion over the next three financial years. Speaking on VOC's PM Drive show on Monday, […]
By Lee-Yandra Paulsen Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has expressed concern about the impact of planned budget cuts on teaching posts, following the Western Cape’s announcement to cut 2,400 positions by 2025. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Monday, Department of Basic Education (DBE) spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga explained, "These plans have been unfolding over time; this is not a sudden development. The Minister of Finance indicated that the ministry is […]
By Rachel Mohamed The Western Cape Education Department's (WCED) plan to cut more than 2,000 teaching positions for the upcoming school year has been rejected by the Democratic Teachers Union of South Africa (SADTU). Speaking on VOC Breakfast show on Tuesday, the Sadtu Provincial Secretary Sibongile Kwazi said the union has rejected the call to downgrade the education of the poor working class in the Western Cape. According to Kwazi, […]
By Lee-Yandra Paulsen The Western Cape’s Social Work Integrated Management System (SWIMS) has been hailed as a transformative tool for addressing the logistical needs of social workers. Minister for Social Development, Jaco Londt, detailed the app’s impact on daily operations and efficiency since its launch in April this year. Londt explained, “I think we need to look at it from multiple angles. First, consider how much time social workers spend […]
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.
