News of yesteryear
These were some of the local stories making headlines in years gone by.
This week we look back at the Herald of February 27, 1998.
• Jackpot! Brakpan wins the casino bid
It’s final.
After months of speculation, Brakpan has been chosen as the town to have one of two East Rand casinos.
The long-awaited announcement of four of six casino licences awarded by the Gauteng Gambling and Betting Board was made on Wednesday night.
Brakpan beat rival towns Benoni and Germiston to possession of the coveted licence.
The successful R1-billion bid by Afrisun, Sun International, means the “Carnival City” will become a reality.
The multi-million rand entertainment complex will create about 13 000 jobs.
The complex will include the casino, a hotel, stadium and family entertainment area, on 44 hectares of land, at the intersection of the N17 toll road and the R554 (which connects Brakpan to Boksburg and Elsburg).
It will be constructed in four phases, with the first expected to get underway in the near future.
Easy access to other East Rand towns was a major factor taken into account by Afrisun when Brakpan was chosen as a site, as well as the linking of disadvantaged communities to metropolitan areas.
Read: News of yesteryear
• Time to celebrate
Jubilant councillors and officials celebrated on Wednesday night, after hearing of Brakpan’s successful casino bid.
Champagne corks popped and the relief, after months of speculation, was apparant.
“It’s wonderful,” said mayor Calcot Dlephu.
“The best thing that could have happened to Brakpan,” added town secretary Ace Phiri.
Deputy town secretary, Francois Blaauw said he was relieved the waiting was over and Brakpan had won.
“I think Brakpan’s future is definitely looking bright,” said Clr Paul Nkuna.
“Everyone should be very happy about it, because its the boost which Brakpan needed and it will benefit a lot of people.”
These words were echoed by everyone and, for once, party politics took a back seat as Brakpan’s success was toasted.
• Sheriff and deputies face fraud charges
The sheriff of Brakpan and two of his deputies were arrested by members of the Anti-Corruption Unit on Monday, in connection with a total of 362 cases of fraud.
The total amount involved is R10 000.
The three appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
They were not asked to plead and were released on bail of R1 000 each.
They will appear in court again on March 26.
A case of corruption was reported to the Unit in September 1995, following allegations that people were claiming remuneration for work not done.
The results of the investigation were put before the senior public prosecutor, who decided the three employees should be prosecuted.
Read: News of yesteryear
• Mayor didn’t know
The official opening and prizegiving at last Saturday’s Autumn Show, in the town hall, was held up for more that 30 minutes, while people waited in vain for mayor Calcot Dlephu to arrive.
Bitterly disappointed, members of the Horticultural Society then went ahead with the function.
The mayor was, however, not to blame for his non-arrival.
A spokesperson for his office said that, due to an administration error, he didn’t know about the function.
An official apology is to be made to the Horticultural Society.
• See ‘Titanic’ and help the SPCA
There’s a great opportunity for Brakpan people to see the movie “Titanic” on Sunday — and to help the SPCA at the same time.
The film will be screened at the Springbok Drive-In at 8pm, but the gates will be open from 6pm.
All proceeds will go to the SPCA.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za
or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za
or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za
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