Taxi Rank @KASIBCNEWS 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Moqhaka will be writing to the municipal manager and portfolio director to address the growing crisis of illegal taxi ranks, which are compromising public safety, obstructing main roads, and undermining confidence in the formal transport system.

This intervention follows increasing pressure from the Public Safety Portfolio Committee, which has demanded that the issue be urgently addressed by Provincial and Local Traffic Departments, law enforcement authorities, and taxi associations.

Station Street is currently the only legal taxi rank in the area. However, unregulated and illegal taxi operations have been observed along Oranje, Brand, and Reitz Streets in Kroonstad.

These illegal ranks are being occupied by taxis operating without permits, rendering roads impassable for legitimate users. These areas have also become hotspots for crime.

To restore order, the DA will:

Call on city authorities and the police to intensify action against unauthorised taxi operations and ensure only compliant operators are licensed to operate on the roads.

Support targeted investment in infrastructure for regulated taxi ranks, including designated parking bays, shelters, and facilities that cater to passenger needs.

Launch public awareness campaigns to highlight the dangers of illegal taxis and promote the use of regulated transport services.

Convene a roundtable with stakeholders, including taxi associations, passenger forums, and enforcement agencies, to collectively address the root causes of informal operations and develop sustainable, legal alternatives.

Allowing unlawful taxi ranks to operate on our streets presents a serious threat to public safety and weakens the local transport infrastructure.

Legitimate operators are disadvantaged, roads become congested, and law-abiding citizens are exposed to increased criminal activity.

By taking action now, the DA aims to help maintain order, enhance road safety, and preserve local economic activity through properly managed taxi operations.
We believe in safe, accessible, and efficient public transport for all citizens.

Free Screenings, Edutainment, and Impactful Awareness @KASIBCNEWS 

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) South Africa is proud to announce its proposed participation at The Rand Show 2025 as part of the exhibition’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives. AHF seeks to offer visitors a range of free, high-impact health services and educational engagement - bringing health to the heart of the community at one of the country’s most iconic events.
 
Operating in 47 countries and present in South Africa since 2002, the AHF is the world’s largest non-profit HIV and AIDS healthcare provider, funded primarily through private donors, global partnerships, and a self-sustaining social enterprise model. With a presence in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, and Gauteng, AHF partners with provincial Departments of Health to reach underserved populations and expand access to care.

At The Rand Show 2025, AHF proposes an engaging, family-friendly health activation, including:

Free health screenings for HIV, TB, STIs, and blood pressure

Condom distribution and safer sex education, supported by friendly condom mascots

An interactive Commitment Wall, games, and giveaways

Health awareness documentaries screened on-site
Visibility for the Girls Act programme, which promotes empowerment and health education for adolescent girls and young women
 
In partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health, AHF will ensure smooth linkage and referral of individuals for further care and support. The mobile van and gazebo setup will serve as an accessible hub for both services and awareness, making public health approachable, informative, and entertaining.
 
“This initiative aligns with The Rand Show’s commitment to community upliftment and offers a unique opportunity to extend essential healthcare services to thousands of attendees,” says Ngaa Murombedzi, Southern Africa Regional Advocacy and Policy Manager for AHF South Africa. “It also represents a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can drive real change in South Africa’s health outcomes.”
 
AHF’s presence promises to amplify the event’s value offering while enhancing The Rand Show’s reputation as a socially responsible platform. It brings health services directly to the public at no cost, making it a valuable initiative and a practical way to help meet national health goals.

GAUTENG GOVERNMENT FIGHT AGAINST CRIME @KASIBCNEWS

The Gauteng Provincial Government, in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS), municipal law enforcement agencies, and local municipalities across the province, has today signed a landmark Safety and Security Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at intensifying the province’s fight against crime, violence and lawlessness. 

The agreement was formally signed by political and law enforcement leadership at a public event held in Johannesburg, accompanied by a symbolic joint parade showcasing the unity of Gauteng’s security forces. The MoU represents a strategic step forward in embedding a whole-ofgovernment and whole-of-society approach to building safer, more secure communities across Gauteng. 

The MoU outlines a comprehensive five-year framework for intergovernmental cooperation, bringing together SAPS, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, municipal police departments, district and local municipalities, Community Policing Forums (CPFs), and Gauteng Crime Wardens. Key areas of cooperation include: • Joint law enforcement operations across municipal boundaries • Intelligence sharing and joint training • Combatting crimes such as drug trafficking, cable theft, illegal mining, GBVF, illegal firearms, and parlous buildings • Community-based safety campaigns and capacity building 
The agreement establishes eight dedicated workstreams, including intelligence-led operations, e-policing, legal and training frameworks, GBVF interventions, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination of resources and infrastructure. 

As a practical demonstration of the MoU in effect, joint law enforcement operations were conducted today in key hotspots, with active participation from SAPS, Metro Police Departments, municipal enforcement units, CPFs, and the Gauteng Crime Wardens. These operations signal a coordinated and visible commitment to reclaiming public spaces and protecting residents. 

Premier Panyaza Lesufi praised the signing as a powerful moment of unity and decisive leadership, stating that Gauteng law enforcement agencies were no longer operating in silos. “Today, we are united under one vision and one plan to protect the people of our province. I thank all the municipalities who signed this MoU for abandoning unnecessary bureaucracy and putting the safety of our residents first,” said the Premier Premier Lesufi further emphasised the link between safety and economic development, saying that the economy of Gauteng would not grow, and that job creation would be hampered with high levels of crime. “This signature is a signal that we are taking back our province. 

We are pulling all resources so that we can go into Johannesburg, pull it back, and reclaim it. We are liberating its streets for the people of this province,” said Premier Lesufi. 

The signing of the agreement forms part of the province’s integrated response to the 13 most pressing challenges identified in the Premier’s State of the Province Address, which include: • Unemployment • Cable theft and critical infrastructure vandalism • Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) • Drug abuse and criminal syndicates • Illegal mining • Water and electricity insecurity • Proliferation of informal settlements • Poor service delivery in hospitals and clinics • Failing infrastructure and deteriorating CBDs • Non-functional traffic lights • Illegal trading and parlous buildings • Crime and lawlessness • Insufficient access to education and schools 

The Safety and Security MoU directly addresses these issues through coordinated enforcement, infrastructure protection, and public order restoration initiatives. The MoU is active for a period of five years and will be reviewed annually by all parties to ensure measurable progress, transparency, and responsiveness to emerging safety challenges. 

It empowers each participating authority to lead interventions in their areas of jurisdiction, while ensuring collaboration across borders. 

The agreement further aligns with the priorities of the Gauteng Growing Together 2030 Plan, reinforcing safety and security as a foundation for inclusive development, mobility, and investment attraction. 

 Rand Show 2025 @KASIBCNEWS

Johannesburg, South Africa: 15 April 2025 - Get ready to dive into an enchanting world of marine wonder as The Rand Show, South Africa's most iconic consumer show, unveils its Ocean Wanders experience in Hall 8. This brand-new attraction was unveiled yesterday among much excitement. 

The experience is included in the price of the entry ticket and promises an exciting journey beneath the waves, bringing the beauty and mystery of the ocean to life for visitors of all ages.

From 17–21 April at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, Ocean Wanders will transport families into a underwater digital world with interactive exhibits, educational experiences, and marine-themed displays designed to inspire curiosity, while being a lot of fun.

A deep dive into adventure
Ocean Wanders offers a fusion of entertainment and education, making it a must-visit destination within The Rand Show. Visitors can look forward to:
Immersive ocean displays: Walk through mesmerising virtual marine-themed exhibits showcasing the diversity and magic of the underwater world.
Touch and Feel: Engage with hands-on activities that educate children and adults alike on marine life and the mysteries of the sea.

Glow-in-the-dark ocean tunnel: Step into an illuminated passage where glowing sea creatures and ocean landscapes come to life in a visual spectacle.

Parent-friendly lounges and refreshments: A comfortable retreat for parents looking to relax with their feet in the sand while keeping an eye on their little adventurers.

A high-energy DJ: will host the area, keeping the excitement going as mermaids and pirates guide kids through a treasure hunt.

Beach sand play areas: Dive into a world of creativity and fun, with interactive sand play areas, children they can dig, build, and discover hidden treasures. Adding to the magic, a professional sand artist will be sculpting stunning sea creatures, bringing the ocean-inspired theme to life.

The Kids Zone, featuring Ocean Wanders, is set to be an unforgettable adventure for little explorers. Children can get glow in dark face painting done, jump on trampolines, play glow in the dark golf, watch stage acts and entertainment, play in a soft play area, eat delicious candyfloss and more.

The Rand Show 2025 is offering an inspiring and fun-filled experience for families, educators, and ocean and beach enthusiasts alike.

#OceanWanders #thebestplacetobe #RandShow2025

Tickets are available for purchase at Ticketpro and at the door.

#MAKEKASIGREAT 

R65BILLION ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE @KASIBCNEWS

Motorists and passengers across the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) face daily dangers when travelling along the city roads, having to dodge potholes and navigate the disintegrating roads. Despite these challenges, the City has only allocated R449 million to fix roads for the entire metro in the 2024/25 budget. While it will cost R65 Billion to repair the worst 1619km of roads across Ekurhuleni.

This represents 7% of what is needed to repair the worst roads.

This information was revealed in a reply to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) written questions tabled to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

The last assessment of the condition of all roads in the CoE was conducted in 2019, referred to as the “Pavement Management System”. According to the reply, 8,245.53km of roads were assessed for their structural condition and were categorised as follows:

• Very Good 19.54%

• Good 12.97%

• Fair 37.27%

• Poor 9.98%

• Very Poor 20.06%

Since the 2019 assessment, the conditions of the City’s roads have deteriorated considerably, and the cost of repairs would have ballooned.

With the current budget set aside for road maintenance, the City cannot even keep up with repairing potholes and roads.

A DA-led Gauteng Provincial government would immediately assess the maintenance needs of all roads in the province and work with municipalities to ensure that they have sufficient money allocated for maintenance.