Eleven people have died in two separate vehicle crashes on Western Cape roads. Provincial Minister of Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie, says the one incident on Friday involved three vehicles on the R43 near Villiersdorp in which six people died including four children. He says the second crash occurred on the N1 between the Prince Albert turnoff and Laingsburg. Mackenzie says five people lost their lives and one person was seriously injured. Mackenzie […]
Capacitating the anti-gang unit with more members is among the plans of police in the Western Cape to address what it calls an unsettling crime picture in the province. Six police stations in the province, including Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Nyanga and Khayelitsha are among the top 10 for reported murders nationally. Police say contact crimes are particularly concerning. Provincial police authorities today outlined the 2023 third quarter crime statistics during a […]
By Lee-Yandra Paulsen In a significant move to enhance law enforcement in the Western Cape, the South African Police Services (SAPS) has deployed 2,500 academy police officers to the region. This initiative is part of a broader nationwide effort, with a total of 10,000 police officers being deployed across the country to address escalating security concerns. Colonel André Traut, the Provincial Media Communications representative for SAPS, provided insights into the […]
By Kouthar Sambo As schools closed earlier this week for the year-end school holidays, the Western Cape Department of Social Development has called on parents and caregivers to be extra vigilant of children during this period, as many incidents have occurred on beaches and public spaces. Speaking on VOC's Sunday Live show earlier this morning, the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, said they are working very close […]
The ambition of farmworker equity schemes, aimed at incorporating workers into farm businesses and socially uplifting them, has not been fulfilled. This is one of the findings by Corruption Watch in its report on the intersection of land corruption and discrimination. Corruption Watch said this year it interviewed 35 members of eight farm businesses in the Western Cape. Each participant discussed their experiences of FWES, with many articulating a number […]
The Western Cape is experiencing a significant increase in dam levels. The province is basking in the aftermath of a wet and rainy season. Currently, the average dam level in the Western Cape is sitting at 90%. This has brought a sense of relief and optimism to residents and authorities alike. The Theewaterskloof dam, the largest in the region, has reached full capacity at a remarkable one hundred percent. This has resulted […]
The Western Cape Health Department expressed concern about the first confirmed case of H7 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI), better known as avian flu or bird flu, in the province. The case was reported in George on Thursday, 12 October. Avian flu is a highly contagious disease that affects both domestic and wild birds and could kill infected poultry. Strains of the virus were also detected in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, […]
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says their specialised team in the Western Cape is ready and available to deal with extortion cases that are reported. This as various extortion incidents have halted work at several construction sites in Cape Town delaying service delivery and the provision of critical infrastructure. Masemola says their extortion team will work hard to bring the perpetrators to book. He was speaking in Cape Town, during […]
By Kouthar Sambo Police officials in the Western Cape arrested six suspects on charges of possession of unlicensed prohibited firearms and ammunition in isolated incidents yesterday. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi further highlighted additional criminal activities that took place yesterday in another area. "The Boland K9 police members pursued information about firearms in the early hours yesterday. Based on the information, the members proceeded to an address in […]
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.
