May to June highlights

May

Sexual offender denied bail

The alleged sexual exploiter arrested on 9 April in Kenmare was denied bail in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court. The application follows after the 30-year-old was taken into police custody after he had offered a 17-year-old pupil from Hoërskool Bastion R100 to perform oral sex on him.

Monash demonstrates against ‘useless’ security

The Monash South Africa Student Association (Musasa) together with students held a peaceful demonstration against campus security after a student was shot in his room in one of the neighbouring residential blocks on Friday 19 April. Musasa members and students feel that the intruders open access to the students’ quarters are due to the negligence of MSA-appointed security staff.

Pupil (10) run over by car

A 10-year-old boy was killed after he was knocked down by a car on Main Reef Road near Nasrec. The little boy was wearing his school uniform at the time of the accident. Paramedics also said that he perished having sustained severe injuries.

Geluk, Ouma Poppie (102)

Ouma Poppie, ‘n bejaarde van die KL Professional Home Nursing het haar 102de verjaarsdag saam met familie en vriende gevier.

Poorte skop UJ onder die blaker

Poorte se eersterugbyspan, wat in 2009 laas vir UJ kon klop, het vir ‘n groot opskudding gesorg en die studente nogal in hul agterplaas met 25-19 verras.

R25K worth of ivory confiscated by police

Police arrested two foreigners, aged 32 and 27 for being in possession of ivory (elephant tusks) with an estimated value of R25 000.

Hell ride on Metrobus

There was controversy when Metrobus released their statement regarding a recent hijacking. According to one of the passengers who were on the bus, “eight men boarded the bus and all of them were armed” but a Metrobus spokesperson suggested there was only one, “A knife-wielding man boarded the bus and held up passengers”. It further was reported that six people were injured including an elderly woman, who had to be rushed to hospital in a critical condition after being stabbed.

Motorist dies; and 18 others injured in accident

An accident on the N1 south bound near the Nasrec off-ramp resulted in 18 injuries and one death after a light delivery vehicle travelling with a number of passengers had overturned. All of the injured sustained moderate to serious injuries and was transported to hospital.

103 bags of heroin found on woman

Police arrested a woman (29) for dealing in drugs at the Rand Leases informal settlement as police found 102 packets of heroin and 28 packets of cocaine in her possession and charged her for dealing in drugs. The estimated street value of the drugs found is around R4 000.

SAPS and TRT recover R35 000 of stolen goods

Police hunted down three men aged 26, 29 and 30 with stolen goods worth R35 000 in the Florida area. They were charged with housebreaking and theft and for being in possession of stolen property.

Pupil shot in foot while braaing

A pupil had to be transported to hospital after he was shot in the foot by a stray bullet while braaing at his home. At the hospital, an x-ray revealed that a bullet was lodged in his foot. The pupil says that he was standing at the braai when he heard a gunshot some distance away, he suddenly shouted “My foot, my foot, something has hit my foot”.

Adams sentenced to five years

Magistrate Delize Smith found Florida resident Mohammed Tahir Adams guilty on the charge of attempted kidnapping and received a five-year prison sentence for trying to snatch a Hoërskool Die Burger pupil two years ago. The attempted kidnapping happened just two weeks after another Die Burger pupil, Louise de Waal was kidnapped, raped and brutally murdered by the Sunday Rapist, Jaco Steyn.

DA leader drives campaign in Roodepoort

DA leader Helen Zille, went door-to-door in Bram Fischerville to tell residents about the Know Your DA campaign. She was accompanied by other provincial leaders, local DA councillors and around 250 DA activists who handed out pamphlets to the community. Zille explained that the primary reason for the campaign was to dispel the myths that DA will bring back apartheid if they get into government and that Helen Suzman was of the ANC.

Rugby match to honour late Harlequins coach

Two Krugersdorp-based rugby clubs, Harlequins and Khosa locked horns on the rugby field, putting bragging rights aside as the match was to honour late Harlequins coach, Johan van der Westhuizen who sadly passed away of a heart attack.

91 corrupt officials punished

At least 91 corrupt City of Johannesburg officials were either suspended or had to face disciplinary action since the launch of the City’s eight-month-old anti-corruption hotline. The anti-corruption measures include an independent anonymous toll-free tip-off hotline, an email address and fax line in all the 11 official languages. It’s said that since its establishment, the City had received 457 complaints relating to everything from service delivery problems to allegations of fraud.

Man dies after being dragged by car for several metres

A man in his 50s was killed after a Toyota Tazz knocked him over and dragged him for several metres.

18 arrested for travelling on train for free

Police confirmed that 18 people were arrested for travelling without a valid train ticket from Johannesburg to Krugersdorp. The accused then had 14 days to pay or face the law.

UJ’s Cheyna wins two national squash titles

UJ’s Sports Psychology student, Cheyna Tucker climbed her way up the world rankings after winning two national squash titles.

Armed police storm into church

Approximately 30 members of a well-known Florida church staged a peaceful protest regarding church politics during the service. The confrontation became heated and one of the pastors allegedly phoned a family member who is a detective constable at the Randburg Police Station. Not long thereafter, two Randburg police vehicles arrived and officers entered the church heavily armed with R5 assault rifles.

Poorte whips Pirates’ ship

The first team of Roodepoort Rugby Club secured their fifth win on the trot after an easy 39-14 victory over arch rivals, Pirates.

Junie

Florries wys Nories wie’s baas

Hoërskool Florida se eersterugbyspan het Hoërskool Noordheuwel van Krugersdorp ‘n rygbyles geleer na hul wegholoorwinning van 52-6 in ‘n vriendskaplike wedstryd.

Kitten mutilated on campus

The Roodepoort SPCA opened a case of kitten mutilation after a kitten (12 weeks old) had parts of its body skinned while fully conscious at the Monash South Africa campus. The kitten eventually had to be put down to end its suffering. A statement by the SPCA reveals that the persons responsible knew what they were doing as it was done by surgical precision.

Big name boxer loses his cool in public

Well-known boxer, Johnny The Hurricane Muller who was caught on video losing his cool in public says that there is more than meets the eye. This following an incident that took place in front of a home industry shop in Witpoortjie, opposite the Record’s offices. The footage shows how the boxer walks to a motorist (18), throwing a punch or two. The motorist then walks away, but the boxer follows him. The boxer then approaches the friend of the driver, pointing at him and uttering a threat. According to the boxer, “I simply defended myself” and “the video shows only one side of what really happened”.

Four dead in William Nicol pile-up

Four people were killed and 18 people injured after a heavily loaded truck lost control, first crashed into another truck and then into 15 vehicles coming down William Nicol Road. It’s said that the truck then only came to a complete stop in the Life Flora Clinic Casualties parking lot, where it crashed into another six vehicles.

Assault case against two truck drivers scrapped

A1 Assist tow truck driver Henk van den Berg left the court a free man after the assault case was struck off the roll in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court. Van den Berg was arrested controversially in late March at an accident scene in Horison for common assault, yet Van den Berg and 17 other witnesses claim that he was the one actually being verbally abused and assaulted by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD). Video footage released at the time has caused a major uproar. Van den Berg then decided to sue the Traffic Department. While van den Berg quickly was charged after his arrest, there is no progress in his case against the four JMPD officials who he claims had assaulted him.

Trucks banned from William Nicol following tragedy

Buses and heavy vehciles might be banned from using William Nicol Road in future following the accident that killed four people and injured another 18. JMPD’s Wayne Minnaar said, “An application is to be submitted to the JRA and I will be applying for it myself”.

Kwaggas die konings in laerskool-rugby

Die eersterugbyspan van Laerskool Helderkruin, bekend as die Kwaggas het geskiedenis gemaak toe hulle hul eerste Goue Leeus titel verower het na ‘n spogoorwinning van 20-17 oor Laerskool Florida in die eindstryd vir groot skole.

Street names changed

The street name change from Kathleen Street in Florida to Albertina Sisulu Street raised eyebrows as many residents feel they were not informed. While the DA Ward Councillor claims the proposal to change the name was tabled at council a few years ago, “It never has been resolved”. The Ommovable Heritage Department on the other hand says, “Streets were identified in 2008 to be changed to Albertina Sisulu but shelved out of fear that it would cause confusion during the 2010 Fifa World Cup”.

Tragic night out

Two friends aged 25 and 26 sadly died after the Golf GTI they were travelling in crashed into a tree on Ouklip Road after an alleged get-together at a nearby entertainment venue. The man aged 25 died on scene while the other (26) died in hospital the following morning due to his injuries. Various sources told the Record that the scene was so horrific, that one of the young men’s legs had to be amputated to free him from the wreckage.

William Nicol truck ban spreads to facebook

Around 170 users ‘liked’ a facebook page titled No trucks on William Nicol in support of the ban of heavy-load vehicles on William Nicol Road. The page also consists of horrific photos took on the day of the accident and a downloadable petition supporting the cause.

July

1 728 litres goes to waste in park daily

The Record was shocked to report that an estimated 1 728 litres water was being wasted in Vredenhoek Park between McGrath and Vredenhoek Streets. When the Record visited the park, water was found gushing from two main sources in the ground in the park.

A day in the life of a beggar

Record reporter Riaan van Zyl spent two hours as a beggar at various intersections of Roodepoort to find out how much they make. For just that period on the street, Van Zyl walked away with R98. Pretending to work a six-hour day, the total can add up to R294, and in a 30-day month around R8 820. He also found that almost all of his earnings came from white females, with Indian people being the second most generous. There was also just one person in a really expensive vehicle (R700 000) car that gave an earth-shattering R3.

ASA bans City’s slogan

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the City of Johannesburg remove the slogan, “World Class African City” immediately after Steven Haywood filed a complaint. It further was reported that the City’s slogan/ marketing campaign was found ‘misleading’ and that it contains ‘blatant lies’.

50 arrests in five days

Some eyebrows were raised after the Florida Police Station confirmed to have made 50 arrests in just five days. A total of 16 of the 50 arrests were drug-related while other arrests made included assault GBH, theft, drunken driving and reckless and/ or negligent driving, travelling by train for free, intimidation, fraud, business robbery and loitering.

DA Ward Councillor summonsed

Local DA Councillor for Florida, Dave Dewes was summoned to the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on a charge of intimidation following an incident on 18 July. Dewes responded to a complaint from tenants that a man was intoxicated at one of his properties and living there illegally. The man also smoked dagga and is harassing them. Upon his arrival, Dewes asked the intoxicated man to remove himself from the property where the man then challenged him.

August

William Nicol update

Lieutenant Colonel Dlamini of SAPS confirmed that a case of culpable homicide has been opened following the death of four people and multiple injuries after a heavy truck lost control on William Nicol Road.

Metrobus exposed

The Record again went undercover, this time as passengers on metrobus. Taking the bus for just one day confirmed allegations many have been complaining about for some time such as not arriving on time, not giving the correct change, running a red traffic light and accelerating while passengers still were trying to find a seat. The Record still has not received any feedback …

Paartjie vier 60ste huweliksherdenking

Dis nie elke dag dat ‘n paartjie hul 60ste huweliksherdenking vier nie, maar dit was die geval met die Van Niekerk-egpaar wat op Saterdag 20 Julie 60 jaar lank getroud is.

Skitterend: Poorte 33-15 Tukkies

Die monde het omtrent oopgehang toe Poorte se eersterugbyspan met die Universiteit van Pretoria (Tukkies) – die 2013 Varsity- en Blou Bul-kampioen – afgereken het.

Our divided Roodepoort

Believe it or not, Roodepoort is divided. This after the Record team again went on a video spree, asking opinions from various cultures and backgrounds on the political state of South Africa. Generally, residents were not outright disappointed in the current state of affairs but felt that change and better management would be necessary in future – they came to the conclusion that they need houses and therefore, change is inevitable. One resident even referred to former president Nelson Mandela as an alien.

Roodepoort groet voormalige redakteur

Die Roodepoort Record het met groot hartseer die dood van hul voormalige redakteur, Jacques Coetzee aangekondig. Coetzee is na ‘n kort siekebed op 26 Julie oorlede nadat hy vir ‘n longkwaal opgeneem is.

Davidsonville dog eaten alive

The Record reported on a shocking story about a female cross Pomeranian that was found paralysed in its own filth by the Roodepoort SPCA. A veterinarian said after inspection that he found no symptoms of poisoning, rather the neglected female had terrible infections and the most shocking discovery that the dog was eaten both inside and out by maggots living in an open wound.

Man sentenced for 30 years for murdering girlfriend

Sihle Ngubane (20), who shot and killed his girlfriend after an argument, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. The murder took place in Lufhereng. The South Gauteng High Court sentenced him to 25 years for murder, three years for unlawful possession of a firearm and two years for the unlawful possession of ammunition.

Wilgerood tragedy: Woman (46) killed after tree collapses

A woman (46) was killed after a tree had collapsed on her vehicle while travelling along Wilgerood Road/ Robert Broom Drive toward Krugersdorp. The tree was identified as a blue gum tree and that it had been burning for some time. No other cars were involved. The road was closed until the following morning. All the trees was cut down immediately following the accident.

Man (69) murdered in his home

An elderly man (69) was attacked brutally and killed at his home in Discovery following a break-in. SAPS was able to arrest one suspect but the other escaped. There were signs of a struggle in the kitchen to the passage.

Child porn ring: one suspect from Roodepoort

Following a tip-off from Interpol, SAPS was able to make six arrests with regard to an international child pornography ring. One of the suspects, allegedly a teacher, was arrested in Florida. Of the six suspects arrested, four are aged 46, one aged 49 and the last 63 years of age. To date, SAPS has confiscated 672 DVDs that contain child and adult pornography, nine cellphones, six computer towers, two cameras, 22 memory cards and memory sticks, eight laptops, two tablets, 39 hard drives and 25 books that contain images of child pornography.

Top tailor (85) passes away

Bhagwan Rama (85), well-known and prominent tailor passed away following a recurrent lung infection. According to his family, Rama remained in ICU for nearly 75 days and never recovered. Rama served Roodepoort by tailoring clothes at 4 Croft Street in the CBD since the tender age of 10.

Menlopark wen Roodepoort Rugbyklub Hoërskole-reeks

Dit was ‘n skool van Pretoria, Menlopark wat as vanjaar se Roodepoort Rugbyklub Hoërskole-reeks Afdeling A-kampioene weggeloop het nadat hulle met Marais Viljoen in die eindstryd met 31-5 afgereken het. Linden is Afdeling B se kampioene na ‘n spogoorwinning van 31-5 oor Bastion en Randpark High is Afdeling C se kampioen na ‘n naelbytsege van 12-10 oor Allen Glen High.