JOZI FM NEWS

WOMEN, YOUTH AND COMMUNITIES TO DRIVE INCLUSIVE LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN GAUTENG

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Gauteng Department of Economic Development, Gauteng Department of Environment and Mogale City Local Municipality will convene a Women in Economic Development Session and Mogale City Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy Review Consultation on 31 August 2026.

The engagement will be held at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site under the theme, “Women, Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Community-Led Development in Shaping Inclusive Local Economies.”

The session will bring together government, municipalities, development partners, communities and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration towards more inclusive and sustainable local economies.

Discussions will focus on advancing women's economic empowerment, increasing the participation of young people and persons with disabilities, promoting enterprise development and improving access to funding and support programmes.

Participants will also discuss barriers and opportunities affecting economic participation and enterprise development in their communities.

The Women in Economic Development component recognises the need for women, youth, persons with disabilities and communities to play an active role in shaping local economies.

Organisers say stronger collaboration between government, local government, the private sector and other stakeholders is essential to creating pathways to enterprise opportunities, markets, funding, skills development and other economic opportunities.

The programme will also include the Mogale City LED Strategy Review Consultation, which will provide communities with an opportunity to contribute their perspectives and priorities to local economic planning.

The consultation is expected to strengthen municipal strategies by ensuring that community voices and priorities are reflected in local economic development planning.

Gauteng MEC for Environment Ewan Botha and MEC for Economic Development Vuyiswa Ramokgopa are expected to address the programme, alongside representatives from participating institutions and other stakeholders.

Through the engagement, the partners aim to identify practical economic opportunities, strengthen collective action and elevate the voices of women, youth, persons with disabilities and community-led initiatives in shaping local economies.

The outcomes are expected to contribute to more responsive planning and reinforce a shared commitment to economic empowerment and inclusive local development across Gauteng. -

ILLEGAL MINING KINGPIN KILLED IN CARLETONVILLE POLICE OPERATION

The National Intervention Unit has shot and killed a wanted and dangerous alleged illegal mining kingpin during an intelligence-driven operation in Carletonville, Gauteng.

The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the South African Police Service to dismantle illegal mining syndicates and curb violent criminal activities linked to illegal mining in the area.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says NIU members traced the suspect to a residence on Sunday.

Upon arrival, police announced their presence and identified themselves as officers.

The suspect allegedly responded by pointing an AK-47 assault rifle at the police, forcing the members to respond with force.

The suspect sustained fatal gunshot wounds.

An AK-47 rifle and 125 rounds of ammunition were seized at the scene.

Mathe says the deceased was known to police as one of the dangerous alleged illegal mining kingpins operating in the Carletonville area.

She says he is believed to have played a central role in the ongoing conflict between two rival illegal mining groups in the area.

The SAPS says it will continue intensifying operations aimed at dismantling illegal mining networks, disrupting criminal syndicates and restoring law and order in communities affected by illegal mining and associated violence.-

JMPD ARRESTS SUSPECT AFTER FIREARM RECOVERED IN DOBSONVILLE

A man has been arrested after JMPD officers recovered an unlicensed Norinco firearm with its serial number filed off in Dobsonville, Soweto.

The arrest follows information received by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) about members of the public gathered at a park in the area, where shots were allegedly being fired randomly.

According to JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla, Tactical Response Unit (TRU) officers proceeded to the area on foot to discreetly monitor the situation.

“Officers identified a suspect who was seen in possession of a firearm before entering a grey Chevrolet Cruze,” said Fihla.

The officers stopped the vehicle, which had one male occupant, and conducted a search.

A black Norinco firearm with its serial number filed off was allegedly recovered from the suspect.

The man was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and detained at Moroka SAPS for further investigation.

The Chevrolet Cruze was also impounded and booked in at the Aeroton SAPS Pound.

“JMPD remains committed to removing illegal fi****ms from our communities and ensuring that those who misuse fi****ms face the law,” said Fihla.-

RESIDENTS URGED TO REPORT CRIME IN TSHEPISONG AND LERATONG VILLAGE

In a bid to tackle criminal activities in Tshepisong, Leratong Village and surrounding areas, residents who fall victim to crime are being urged to open cases at their local police stations.

Community safety structures say reporting crime is crucial to ensuring that suspects are investigated and, where sufficient evidence exists, brought before the courts.

They say opening cases will also strengthen efforts to combat criminality in these communities and help create safer neighbourhoods.

Robberies, house break-ins and hijackings are reportedly rife in the affected areas.

According to community safety committee member Jerome Ndabandaba, several people allegedly involved in criminal activities in Tshepisong are still roaming the streets because some incidents are not being reported to police.

He says this undermines the work of community safety structures that are trying to fight crime in the area.

Ndabandaba is appealing to residents to report criminal incidents and open cases after falling victim to crime.-

STOLEN VEHICLE RECOVERED IN ORLANDO WEST, SOWETO

JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla says JMPD TRU officers received information regarding a vehicle allegedly being stripped inside a yard on Makabeni Street, Orlando West, Soweto.

Upon arrival at the premises, officers encountered suspects who, after noticing them at the gate, jumped over the walls and fled the scene.

Officers searched the surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspects.

The officers returned to the yard, where they found a Toyota Corolla Cross still idling with its interior partially stripped.

The vehicle was also fitted with false registration plates.

Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Kibler Park. The recovered vehicle was subsequently booked in at the Lenasia SAPS Pound.

Superintendent Fihla says JMPD continues to work closely with members of the public to recover stolen vehicles and disrupt criminal activities across the City of Johannesburg.-

JRA PUSHES LILIAN NGOYI STREET PROJECT COMPLETION TO OCTOBER 2026

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has announced that the completion of Phase Two of the Lilian Ngoyi Street Rehabilitation Project has been extended to 31 October 2026, citing earlier operational cash-flow constraints that temporarily affected construction progress.

The agency confirmed that full-scale rehabilitation work has resumed following the resolution of funding challenges.

The project is now 72% complete, with contractors back on site and construction activities progressing.

The revised timeline replaces the previous target of reopening the road by the end of August 2026.

According to the JRA, the October deadline is the earliest anticipated completion date and remains dependent on the continued timely payment of service providers.

The ongoing work focuses on the 1.8-kilometre stretch of Lilian Ngoyi Street between Ntemi Piliso and End Streets.

Construction includes road resurfacing, stormwater infrastructure upgrades, sidewalk improvements and electrical lighting installation.

Additional works involve kerbing, intersection base corrections, underground stormwater pipe installation and the construction of stormwater manholes and kerb inlets.

The project forms part of the City's broader effort to restore and upgrade Lilian Ngoyi Street following the devastating July 2023 gas explosion.

The completed 450-metre section between Harrison and Wanderers Streets was reopened to traffic in September 2025, and the current phase will connect with that reconstructed section to provide a continuous upgraded roadway.

JRA Chief Executive Officer Zweli Nyathi said major construction work is expected to be completed before the onset of the October rains. He added that bus stops, street furniture and landscaping will be completed thereafter, reaffirming the agency's commitment to delivering the project without further delays beyond October.-

Isidumbu somlisa ongaziwa sitholakale emanzini e-Bekkersdal eNtshonalanga Randi.

Abatshuzi abasebenza ngaphansi kohlala lwamaphoyisa eGoli bajutshwe kulendawo ngemuva kokuthola umbiko wokuminza komuntu ekhoneni lomgwaqo uMatsise eduze nase Mandela Section.

Uma befika , abatshuzi bathole bathole kunesidumbu somlisa sintanta emanzini.

Lesidumbu sikhishiwe kanti udaba l**e seludluliselwa emaphoyiseni ase -Bekkersdal , abekade esendaweni yesigameko .

Idokodo livuliwe ukwenzela ukuthola imbangela ngokushona kwalomlisa .

Okhulumela amaphoyisa ezimo eziphuthumayo eGauteng u-Raymond Sambo unxusa amalunga omphakathi ukuthi aqaphele uma engena emanzini, ukwenzela ukugwema ukuminza .

USambo unxusa noma ubani ongena edamini ,emfuleni noma endaweni egcwele amanzi ukuthi afake isivikelo.

Unxusa abazali ukuthi bafundise izingane zabo ngobungozi bokudlalela ezindaweni ezigcwele amanzi , baphinde baqikelele ukuthi izingane zinabantu abaziqaphile uma zingena ezindaweni ezigcwele amanzi.

Noma ubani onolwazi malungana nalesigameko uyanxuswa ukuba abikele amaphoyisa kulenombolo ethi - 08600 10111.

Umnyango wabezimo eziphuthumayo eGoli uphendule ezigamekweni zomlilo ezimbili ezenzeke eSoweto.

Abezicimlilo babizwe esigamekweni sokusha komjondolo e-Pimville okuyilapho kushone khona umlisa oneminyaka engu -34 ubudala .

Kwesinye isigameko esenzeke emjondolo e-Braamfischerville Phase 3 kushone umlisa oneminyaka elinganiselwa kwengamashumi amane ubudala.

Abekho abanye abantu okubikwe ukuthi balimele kulezigameko zombili , kodwa uphenyo luyaqhubeka ukwenzela ukuthola isisusa somlilo.

Okhulumela abezimo eziphuthumayo eGoli , u-Robert Mulaudzi unxusa izakhamuzi ezihlala ezindaweni ezingaphansi komaspala waseGoli kubalwa nezaseSoweto ukuthi ziqaphele izinto ezishisayo , ziqinisekise ukuthi azizishiyi zodwa kungenamuntu ozibhekile , ukwenzela ukugwema izigameko zimlilo.

POSTBANK URGES SASSA BENEFICIARIES TO MIGRATE TO BLACK CARDS AHEAD OF DEADLINE

Postbank says more than 1.8 million social grant beneficiaries have successfully migrated from SASSA gold cards to the new black cards, with more than 80% of targeted migrations now completed.

The bank says the migration process is progressing smoothly, with no significant challenges reported. Beneficiaries who have already migrated are also benefiting from the convenience and enhanced features of the new cards.

Postbank Chief Commercial Officer Thami Cele says most elderly and disability grant beneficiaries have already completed the migration, while young mothers receiving Child Support Grants account for up to 90% of beneficiaries who have not yet migrated.

Cele is urging those who have not yet made the switch to use the remaining time before the 31 August deadline.

Beneficiaries can dial *120*355 # from any cellphone to locate their nearest migration site.

The migration is free, and beneficiaries only need a valid ID or temporary ID. No forms are required.

Postbank says beneficiaries can collect their new black cards from any province, regardless of where their SASSA grant was approved.

The cards work immediately after being issued, and there is no need to visit a SASSA office.-

CITY OF JOHANNESBURG LAUNCHES TREE DISTRIBUTION CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF ARBOR DAY

The City of Johannesburg, through City Parks and Zoo, has embarked on a tree distribution campaign aimed at providing residents and schools with both ornamental and fruit trees.

The campaign will be rolled out across all seven regions of the City, with 500 trees distributed in a single day.

This week the campaign was led by the MMC for Community Development Thapelo Armad in Protea Glen.

Areas which are benefiting in the Joburg region include Orange Farm, Cosmo City, Lufhereng, Thulani Doornkop and Braamfischerville.

MMC Amad says the initiative is also intended to support preparations for Arbor Day while promoting environmental awareness and healthy living among communities.

Amad says the campaign is not limited to residents, but will also target primary school learners to educate them about the importance of planting and caring for trees.

The programme is aimed at helping young people understand the role trees play in creating a healthier and safer environment, while encouraging communities to adopt sustainable practices.

" The City also plans to distribute fruit trees to less privileged communities, with the expectation that the trees will eventually produce fruit that residents can consume. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to contribute to poverty eradication in Johannesburg by supporting food security and providing communities with sustainable sources of fruit," said MMC Amad.-