Year in review: National elections, protecting children and taxi violence

Here is a summary of news that made our papers throughout 2014 (April to June):

December 28, 2014

2 minutes read

Unemployment and poverty remains rife in our country and in Boksburg. The Advertiser reported this year on numerous white homeless people who have been 'trekking' around the city in their tents trying to survive the harshness of life.

April

* Metro celebrates the legacy of Chris Hani, who was shot dead in Dawn Park 21 years ago.

* The Department of Correctional Services, in partnership with key stakeholders, launches a compulsory education programme for young offenders in Gauteng. Offenders in the department’s youth centres, those who have never been to school, drop-outs and those who failed their matric exams, are now required to participate in this compulsory schooling.

Along with members of the mayoral committee, the Ekurhuleni mayor, Mondli Gungubele, visited the Boksburg prison during May. Speaking about preventing juvenile delinquency during the visit, Gungubele said by getting involved in children’s lives early, later crime can be effectively reduced, because once the risk factors are lessened, the problem behaviour is much less likely to occur.

* A 30-year-veteran of the SAPS, Lieut-Col Sipho Mathebula, has been appointed as the new Reiger Park station commander.

* The train at the Bokkie Park catches fire. The fire started within the restaurant situated inside the train.

* In the culture of protests, disgruntled residents of Joe Slovo informal settlement take the streets to protest against poor service delivery.

* A R21-million new clinic in Ramaphosa officially opens, after almost two years of construction.

* Ekurhuleni metro delivers its budget speech, focusing on recovering debt to the tune of R12-m. Tariff increases are announced, while the metro proposes a capital investment of R12-bn to be spent.

May

* National government elections hit the country. Throughout Boksburg and SA, people stream to the polling stations to vote for their party. Once again, the ANC gains the vote of the country nationally, even though the EFF and the DA make inroads with the voters. Back home, most people in Boksburg vote for the DA, while the EFF in certain areas such as Comet and Windmill Park gain popularity.

20 BA COM MAYOR ID1 (Medium) — Ekurhuleni mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele with Gwede Mantashe, both who live in Boksburg, during the national general elections.

* Department of Health launches a new contraceptive, which is free of charge that public hospital and clinics. The device, which needs to be inserted by a medical professional under the sin of the upper arm, can prevent pregnancy for up to three years.

* Chairperson of the Reiger Park Taxi Association, Andy Khoza, is killed in a shooting suspected to be related to taxi routes.

* Two Mozambican women are arrested and charged for severely burning a nine-year-old boy after accusing him of stealing money. The case sparks outrage in the Comet community.

June

* Better service is promised as a R7-million upgrade to the new-look Ekurhuleni Life Threatening and Services Emergencies Call Centre is completed.

* Child Protection Week is celebrated from June 1 to 7, with certain local organisations like St Francis Care Centre raising awareness.

* Two brothers die when the shack, in which they were sleeping, burns to the ground in Holomisa informal settlement.